Latest news with #MRajeevan
Hindustan Times
a day ago
- Climate
- Hindustan Times
Summer heat to return; rain unlikely for a week in Delhi, northwest India: IMD
New Delhi : Delhi and parts of northwest India are in for a hot week ahead even as monsoon rains are expected to remain stalled over central India for the period, according to the India Meteorological Department. IMD forecasts show that rainfall activity in the region will only start picking up after a week, bringing relief from an intense spell of heat. The heat began to settle in on Saturday itself in the national capital with the mercury inching close to 40 degrees Celsius (°C) — base weather station Safdarjung recorded a maximum of 39.8°C, around normal for this time of the season. The maximum is expected to further rise, by 3-4°C, in the next five days, the weather department has forecast. In Delhi, it is likely to touch 42°C on Sunday and possibly go up to 44°C by Tuesday – making it the hottest week so far this season. The highest maximum recorded in the Capital so far is 42.3°C on May 16. This will also likely be one of the last intense heat spells, before the monsoon resumes progress in other parts of India. Monsoon has not progressed for over a week now — its progress had stalled around May 29 because of intrusion of dry air. It will again commence advancement during the week of June 12 to 18, according to IMD's extended range forecast. Till now, most parts of the country saw an unusually cooler summer as the southwest monsoon arrived earlier than usual. Normally, the monsoon covers a majority of the country by June-end and the entire country by July 8. It typically reaches Delhi on June 27. 'Models suggest that at least June 12, monsoon will be very weak. This is due to weaker monsoon flow and dry air intrusion from northwest. The longer hiatus has become now seen during the monsoon progress. There is a systematic in increase of hiatus days,' said M Rajeevan, former secretary, Union ministry of earth sciences. 'However, it may revive during the third week of June,' he added. In Delhi, Ayanagar station recorded the highest maximum temperature (41.2°C) on Saturday, followed by Palam (40.7°C). Meanwhile, the air quality deteriorated to the 'poor' category with an AQI of 209, prompting the Commission for Air Quality Management in NCR to invoke preventative air pollution control measures under Stage 1 of the Graded Response Action Plan (Grap) with immediate effect. Though no heatwave or colour-coded alert has been issued for the city yet, IMD said heatwave conditions are likely in parts of Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and west Rajasthan. IMD scientist Naresh Kumar said while temperatures were currently below normal in several parts of the country, this will gradually change over the next four to five days. 'There is a possibility of heatwave conditions returning in parts of northwest India, specifically west Rajasthan from around June 9. In parts of Punjab, Haryana, UP and MP, heatwave is likely on June 10,' Kumar said. 'It may possibly touch 43 to 44°C in Delhi-NCR too.' IMD classifies it as a heatwave, when the maximum is over 40°C, with the departure being 4.5°C or more above normal. It is also a heatwave if the maximum is over 45°C in the plains. It is a 'severe heatwave' if the maximum is over 40°C and the departure is 6.5°C or more above normal. Mahesh Palawat, vice president at Skymet meteorology said weather systems in the region, including a western disturbance and a cyclonic circulation, have both weakened. 'Monsoon will start picking up from June 13. Until then almost to dry weather conditions over Punjab, Haryana, Delhi Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Bihar, Jharkhand West Bengal, Odisha and Chhattisgarh including Western Himalayas,' he said. There is likely to be an increase in rainfall activity with isolated heavy rain very likely over south peninsular India and northeastern states from June 10. IMD's Kumar said: 'After three to four days, the monsoon will revive across the entire southern peninsula with heavy rainfall returning in Kerala, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.' It has been an unusually cool summer so far, with excessive rains last month largely keeping the temperature in check. May ended with 184.6mm in monthly rainfall — the highest ever for Delhi, data from 1901 showed. May also did not see a single heatwave day this year, as compared to six such days last year. The highest maximum last year at Safdarjung was 46.8°C on May 29. It even crossed 49°C in some parts during the six-day spell between May 26 and 31.
Hindustan Times
a day ago
- Climate
- Hindustan Times
IMD: Intense heat days ahead in Delhi, monsoon to return next week
Delhi and parts of northwest India are in for a hot week ahead, after which monsoon is likely to resume its advancement over parts of central and east India, bringing relief from an intense spell of heat, according to the India Meteorological Department The heat began to settle in on Saturday itself in the national capital with the mercury inching close to 40 degrees Celsius (°C) — base weather station Safdarjung recorded a maximum of 39.8°C, around normal for this time of the season. The maximum is expected to further rise, by 3-4°C, in the next five days, the weather department has forecast. In Delhi, it is likely to touch 42°C on Sunday and possibly go up to 44°C by Tuesday – making it the hottest week in terms of temperature so far this season. The highest maximum recorded in the capital so far is 42.3°C on May 16. This will also likely be one of the last intense heat spells, before the monsoon resumes progress in other parts of the country. Monsoon has not progressed for over a week now — its progress had stalled around June 29 because of intrusion of dry air. It will again commence advancement during the week of June 12 to 18, according to IMD's extended range forecast. Till now, most parts of the country saw an unusually cooler summer as the southwest monsoon arrived earlier than usual. Normally, the monsoon covers a majority of the country by June-end and the entire country by July 8. It typically reaches Delhi on June 27. 'Models suggest that at least June 12, monsoon will be very weak. This is due to weaker monsoon flow and dry air intrusion from northwest. The longer hiatus has become now seen during the monsoon progress. There is a systematic in increase of hiatus days,' said M Rajeevan, former secretary, Union ministry of earth sciences. 'However, it may revive during the third week of June.' Temperature crosses 40°C in parts of Delhi In Delhi, Ayanagar station recorded the highest maximum temperature (41.2°C), followed by Palam (40.7°C). Though no heatwave or colour-coded alert has been issued for the city yet, IMD said heatwave conditions are likely in parts of Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and west Rajasthan. IMD scientist Naresh Kumar said while temperatures were currently below normal in several parts of the country, this will gradually change over the next four to five days. 'There is a possibility of heatwave conditions returning in parts of northwest India, specifically west Rajasthan from around June 9. In parts of Punjab, Haryana, UP and MP, heatwave is likely on June 10,' Kumar said. 'It may possibly touch 43 to 44°C in Delhi-NCR too.' IMD classifies it as a heatwave, when the maximum is over 40°C, with the departure being 4.5°C or more above normal. It is also a heatwave if the maximum is over 45°C in the plains. It is a 'severe heatwave' if the maximum is over 40°C and the departure is 6.5°C or more above normal. Mahesh Palawat, vice president at Skymet meteorology said weather systems in the region, including a western disturbance and a cyclonic circulation, have both weakened in the last 48 hours. 'Dry winds from northwest India will continue and lead to a rise in temperature in Delhi. While humidity will increase, temperature will rise,' he said, stating that no rain is expected in Delhi-NCR till at least June 12. Increase in rainfall activity in parts from June 10 There is likely to be an increase in rainfall activity with isolated heavy rain very likely over south peninsular India and northeastern states from June 10. Heatwave conditions are likely to prevail over West Rajasthan during June 8 to 10; Punjab, Haryana, West Uttar Pradesh during June 9 to 11; East Uttar Pradesh and north Madhya Pradesh on June 9 and 10. IMD's Kumar said: 'After three to four days, the monsoon will revive across the entire southern peninsula with heavy rainfall returning in Kerala, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.' It has been an unusually cool summer so far, with excessive rains in the last month of May largely keeping the temperature in check. May ended with 184.6mm in monthly rainfall — the highest ever for Delhi, data from 1901 showed. May also did not see a single heatwave day this year, as compared to six such days last year. The highest maximum last year at Safdarjung was 46.8°C on May 29. In other parts of the city, it even crossed 49°C during the six-day heatwave spell between May 26 and 31.
Hindustan Times
27-05-2025
- Climate
- Hindustan Times
Weather models forecast slowdown in monsoon advancement in June
The progress of the southwest monsoon which not only arrived eight days early in Kerala, but also covered large parts of the country including Mumbai on the west coast and almost all of northeast and peninsular India within two days, is likely to slow down after June 2, various models have indicated. Basing his comments on the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts' model, climate scientist and former secretary, ministry of earth sciences, M Rajeevan said on X that an early onset and rapid progress isn't 'uncommon', and that the 'active monsoon conditions' will continue till June 2, after which he expects a 'longer hiatus'. His reference is to the lull or gap seen in the monsoon after the initial rush of its arrival and onset across much of India. 'In recent years, we see longer hiatus days mainly due to mid-latitude dry air intrusions. Farmers should be advised suitably. These are early indications from the models,' he added, although he caveated his comments by pointing to 'uncertainties'. Mid-latitude dry air intrusions refer to dry air coming into India from the mid-latitudes. On Monday, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said the monsoon has advanced into some more parts of Central Arabian Sea, some more parts of Maharashtra — including Mumbai — Karnataka including Bengaluru, the remaining parts of Tamil Nadu, some parts of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, some more parts of West-central and North Bay of Bengal, remaining parts of Mizoram, all of Tripura, Manipur, Nagaland, Arunachal Pradesh, and some parts of Assam and Meghalaya. Conditions are favourable for further advance of monsoon into some more parts of Maharashtra, remaining parts of Karnataka, some more parts of Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, remaining parts of West-central and some more parts of North Bay of Bengal and remaining parts northeastern states and some parts of sub-Himalayan West Bengal and Sikkim during the next three days. IMD's extended range forecast indicates rains over the west coast and the northeast until June 5 but a reduction in rainfall thereafter. Northwest India is largely likely to remain dry till June 19. To be sure, parts of northwest have been receiving heavy rains, mostly due to western disturbances and its interactions with cyclonic systems in seas on either side of the country. HT reported on Saturday that the southwest monsoon made onset over Kerala on Friday, arriving eight days before its normal June 1 date and marking the earliest arrival since 2009. The May 24 onset is in line with IMD's prediction of May 27 arrival and represents the fifth earliest monsoon onset in the last 55 years. The earliest recorded onset was May 18 in 1990. 'Yes, the monsoon surge will continue until June 1-2 and may cover northeast India, parts of West Bengal and East Bihar. On the western side, it may reach up to Mumbai or up to south of Mumbai. After June 1-2, monsoon may subside. Decent rain may continue over the west coast and northeast India. However, the rest of the country may receive isolated rain for at least the next 10 to 12 days,' said Mahesh Palawat, vice president, climate and meteorology at Skymet Weather. IMD will issue its updated long-range forecast (LRF) for monsoon season and outlook for June on May 27. Monsoon rainfall during June to September, over the country is likely to be 'above normal' at 105% of LPA with a model error of ± 5%, IMD has said in its long range forecast in April. 'During the first week, monsoon conditions are likely to be active. We will update soon about the conditions thereafter,' said M Ravichandran, secretary, ministry of earth sciences.
Hindustan Times
26-05-2025
- Climate
- Hindustan Times
Heavy rain lash Mumbai; parts of city under red, orange alert today
Mumbai rain: Heavy rain battered Mumbai late on Sunday, with the India Meteorological Department (IMD) issuing orange and red alerts for several parts of the city as well as its suburban areas. Several parts of the city also suffered from waterlogging, which disrupted traffic movement. Early on Monday morning, around 3 am, the weather office took to X and said, "Light to moderate spell of rainfall is likely to continue over Mumbai and suburban areas during next 3-4 hours." The weather forecast for the day, as per IMD, is "generally cloudy sky with heavy rain". The minimum temperature on Monday is likely to settle at 24 degrees Celsius, while the maximum is expected to be around 31 degrees Celsius. The weekly weather prediction board for Mumbai showed rain being consistent for this entire week. According to IMD, a well-marked low-pressure area was lying over south madhya Maharashtra and adjoining areas of Marathwada and North Interior Karnataka on Sunday, May 25. It stated that the area is likely to move eastwards during the next 24 hours, and then would eventually weaken. The weather office forecast that scattered to fairly widespread light to moderate rainfall along with thunderstorms, lightning and gusty winds is reaching Konkan and Goa, Madhya Maharashtra during May 25-27. The Madhya Maharashtra region is under orange alert for Monday, with the regional weather office forecasting "very heavy rain with thunderstorms and lightning, squall, etc". Eight weather stations in Mumbai are under red alert - Borivali, Santacruz, Powai, Mulund, Chembur, Worli, Colaba, and Alibag. The weather stations of Navi Mumbai, Thane, and Kalyan are under orange alert. As per Nowcast warnings, Raigad district is under red alert. The IMD forecast moderate thunderstorms and heavy rainfall, with maximum surface wind speeds expected on Monday. Meanwhile, Thane and Palghar districts are under orange alert. The southwest monsoon arrived in Maharashtra on Sunday, making it the earliest onset of the annual rainfall season over the state in 35 years, the weather office said. It added that the monsoon is expected to advance to Mumbai and some other parts of the state over the next three days. Southwest monsoon made an onset over Maharashtra on May 20 in 1999, IMD scientist Sushma Nair was cited as saying by news agency PTI. Kerala also witnessed an early arrival of the southwest monsoon on Saturday. Usually, it marks its onset over Kerala by June 1 and then reaches Maharashtra around June 7, and Mumbai on June 11. A monsoon expert and former secretary of the Ministry of Earth Sciences, M Rajeevan, said that early onset and coverage of large areas on the first day itself is not uncommon. "In 1971, the monsoon at the time of onset covered a larger area in Karnataka and parts of Maharashtra. Present active monsoon conditions will continue at least till June 2 and will help to advance monsoon into Maharashtra and eastern parts of the country," Rajeevan said.
The Hindu
26-05-2025
- Climate
- The Hindu
Monsoon reaches Maharashtra a day after Kerala, earliest onset in 35 years
The southwest monsoon arrived in Maharashtra on Sunday (May 25, 2025), making it the earliest onset of the annual rainfall season over the state in 35 years, the India Meteorological Department said. The southwest monsoon is expected to advance to Mumbai and some other parts over the next three days, the IMD added. In 1990, southwest monsoon made onset over Maharashtra on May 20, IMD scientist Sushma Nair said. The monsoon advanced into some more parts of the Arabian Sea, Karnataka, entire Goa, parts of Maharashtra, north Bay of Bengal, and parts of Mizoram, parts of Manipur and Nagaland on Sunday, the IMD said. The northern limit of monsoon passes through Devgad, Belagavi, Haveri, Mandya, Dharmapuri, Chennai, Aizawl and Kohima, it said. "Conditions are favourable for further advance into some more parts of central Arabian Sea, more parts of Maharashtra including Mumbai, Karnataka including Bengaluru, some parts of Andhra Pradesh, remaining parts of Tamil Nadu, more parts of west-central and North Bay of Bengal and some more parts of North Eastern states during next three days," the IMD said. In Maharashtra, the coastal Konkan stretch and Mumbai have been witnessing heavy pre-monsoon rains over the last two days. The southwest monsoon hit Kerala on Saturday, marking its earliest arrival over the Indian mainland since 2009 when it had reached the southern state on May 23. Normally, the southwest monsoon marks its onset over Kerala by June 1 and covers the entire country by July 8. It starts retreating from northwest India around September 17 and withdraws completely by October 15. It usually reaches Maharashtra around June 7 and Mumbai on June 11. M Rajeevan, a monsoon expert and former secretary of the Ministry of Earth Sciences, said early onset and covering a large area on the first day is not uncommon. "In 1971, monsoon at the time of onset covered a larger area in Karnataka and parts of Maharashtra. Present active monsoon conditions will continue at least till June 2 and will help to advance monsoon into Maharashtra and eastern parts of the country," Mr. Rajeevan said.
