Monsoon Update: Mumbai lashed by heavy rains, cloudbursts cause flash floods in J&K’s Doda. When will it shower in Delhi? | Today’s news
Heavy rains lashed Mumbai and several parts of Maharashtra on Wednesday morning as the forecast indicated continued heavy showers and occasional thunderstorms across the city and its adjoining suburbs. Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Ladakh, Jammu and Kashmir, Haryana, Delhi, Punjab and Rajasthan are braced for intense monsoon in the coming days.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted an active monsoon phase over the central parts of the country during the week in view of the presence of a low pressure area over the northwest Bay of Bengal.
The meteorological agency has issued an orange alert for several states on July 1, forecasting heavy downpour in eastern Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Odisha, Jharkhand, West Bengal, Kerala, Karnataka and parts of Maharashtra. In its June 30 press release, the IMD gave an update on the Southwest Monsoon and said it has further advanced into some other parts of Madhya Pradesh, remaining parts of Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Bihar, some parts of Uttar Pradesh, most parts of Uttarakhand, some parts of Himachal Pradesh and Ladakh.
India saw almost 40% less rainfall than normal in June, making it the fifth driest month since 1901. Notably, last month was the driest June since 2014, the driest in 12 years. With below-normal rainfall projections for July, IMD Director General Mrutyunjay Mohapatra said on Tuesday that the month’s rainfall is expected to be less than 94% of the long-term average of about 28 centimeters, which he attributes to the formation of El Niño weather in the Pacific Ocean.
The IMD predicted a 3-5°C drop in maximum temperatures over northwest India by July 2, with monsoon cloud cover bringing showers in Delhi, Punjab, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh in the first week of July. “Isolated heavy rainfall likely over Jammu-Kashmir-Ladakh-Gilgit-Baltistan-Muzaffarabad and Punjab during 2-4 July and 6 July; Himachal Pradesh on 1 July and during 5-6 July; Uttarakhand during 3-6 July; and Haryana U3 Chantardigarh during 1 July; 2-3 July in East Uttar Pradesh during July 1-2;
The IMD has warned of isolated very heavy rainfall likely in the following regions:
- Himachal Pradesh from July 2 to 4; Uttarakhand by July 2; West Uttar Pradesh today
- West Madhya Pradesh between July 2 and 4; East Madhya Pradesh and Vidarbha till July 3; Chhattisgarh on 1 July
- Gangetic West Bengal from July 5 to 6; Bihar by July 1; Odisha till 6th July.
- Konkan and Goa till July 1 and from July 5 to 6; Gujarat on July 2 and from July 5 to 6; Saurashtra and Kutch from 4th to 5th July.
- Kerala and Mahe and South Interior Karnataka on July 1; Coastal Karnataka till 2nd July.
Heavy downpour in Jammu and Kashmir caused flash floods in Doda on Wednesday. Life came to a standstill as several roads were blocked after cloudbursts disrupted daily activities.
A day after heavy rains lashed Dehradun, the IMD issued a warning of heavy rainfall for the coming days. The rain warning will remain intact for Uttarakhand’s Rudraprayag district till July 4, with the district administration urging residents to remain vigilant. The meteorological agency has issued orange alerts for five districts namely Nainital, Dehradun, Haridwar, Pauri Garhwal and Udham Singh Nagar.
Today’s weather in Delhi
Delhi is on yellow alert today as IMD predicted: “A spell of very light to light rain/thunderstorm/lightning/gusty winds of 40-50 kmph gusting to 60 kmph in the afternoon/evening.” The weather warning is in effect until tomorrow and residents can expect a gradual drop in maximum and minimum temperatures by 5-7°C and 3-5°C respectively over the next 2 days.
Speaking to PTI, IMD scientist Naresh Kumar said, “Monsoon is expected to cover Uttar Pradesh, Delhi-NCR, Punjab, Haryana in next 2-3 days.”
