South India awaiting arrival of Northeast Monsoon

The month of October has commenced on a poor note, as the initial two days observed minimal weather activity across the country. According to Skymet Meteorology Division in India, the average country rainfall on October 1 was1.7 mm against the normal of 4.1 mm. 90% deficiency was ruled out on the first day of the month itself.

Soon after the end of Southwest Monsoon in the country, the Northeast Monsoon officially commences with the beginning of October. However, we are yet to see the arrival of the Northeast Monsoon season. Unlike the Southwest Monsoon, this monsoon does not have any specific date.

The southern region of the country contributes most of rain during the Northeast Monsoon. Its major contributors like Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Rayalaseema and even parts of Tamil Nadu were also deficit by 90 per cent.

Meanwhile, East and Northeastern region has been receiving rainfall, due to the retreating phase of the Southwest Monsoon. In Northeast India, Arunachal Pradesh and Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram and Tripura (NMMT) were 100% deficit with no rainfall, while Assam and Meghalaya were deficit by 96%.

Rain on October 2 has also not beeen good. In fact it was worse than the previous day. It largely remained dry across India, however, coastal areas of South India witnessed light rainfall with low intensity. Kottayam and Punalur in Kerala received 36 mm and 14 mm of rain, respectively.

According to Skymet Meteorology Division in India, least rain is expected during the first week of October and it is likely to pick up in the beginning of the second week commencing with the weather activity in Bay of Bengal.

The Northeast Monsoon stretches from October to December. The rainfall will increase incredibly both in terms of frequency and intensity across the region during this season. There will be more number of rainy days in October, whereas the peak period for the season is November.

Northeast Monsoon is of great significance for Tamil Nadu as the state is considered to be a rain shadow area, due to which the normal rainfall is not very high during the Southwest Monsoon season. This season is considered to be the rainy season for the state. Its capital city Chennai receives more than 60% of its annual rainfall during these months.

As the monsoon comes in full force during October, the region will witness drop in temperatures. The maximum temperature will hover in the lower 30s, while the minimum temperature will settle in the lower 20s. All these factors will lead to extremely pleasant weather conditions across the region.