Latest news with #MaheshPalawat
Hindustan Times
2 days ago
- Climate
- Hindustan Times
Delhi: No rain forecast in next 5-6 days, mercury to rise
Despite a wet start to June, mercury is on the rise and the maximum temperature could inch closer to 44°C next week, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast, stating that no rain is likely in Delhi-NCR in the next six days. It has not issued a colour-coded alert or a heatwave alert for the region. On Friday, the city saw clear skies and mostly humid weather, with the maximum settling at 38.2°C. Though this was two degrees below normal, relative humidity between 41% and 78% meant that the Heat Index (HI) or 'real feel' temperature was 43°C. IMD has now forecast clear skies, with dry westerly winds to dominate once again, leading to a spike in mercury. The maximum is likely to be between 39-41°C on Saturday, and between 40-42°C on Sunday. 'Next week, this trend will continue, and on Monday, it may touch close to 43°C and around 44°C by Tuesday,' said an IMD official. According to the officials, there is a 'break' in the monsoon at present, with a resumption in progress likely around June 11 or 12. Till then, temperatures are expected to continue to rise in the region. This despite the monsoon progressing at a quicker pace than usual this year. Its onset was declared over Kerala on May 24 – a week in advance and on May 26 in Maharashtra, as compared to a normal date of June 11. Mahesh Palawat, vice president at Skymet said that the cyclonic circulation over northwest Uttar Pradesh was also weakening, leading to a rise in temperature. 'Dry winds from northwest India will continue, leading to a decrease in humidity levels but a rise in temperature. We do not expect any rain for at least the next five days,' he said. It has been an unusually easy summer so far, with excessive rains in May largely keeping the temperature in check. The highest maximum recorded so far this year was 42.3°C on May 16. The month of May ended with 184.6mm in monthly rainfall — the highest ever for Delhi, data from as far as 1901 showed. May also did not see a single heatwave day this year, as compared to six such days last year. Despite a rise in temperature this coming week, heatwave conditions are unlikely in the region, IMD has said. In terms of air quality, the average air quality index (AQI) stood at 161 (moderate). This was down from a reading of 203 (poor) on Thursday, according to Central Pollution Control Board data .
Saudi Gazette
6 days ago
- Climate
- Saudi Gazette
Why monsoon rains wreak havoc annually in India's cities
DELHI — "Who is responsible for this mess?" The question recently echoed across India's financial capital Mumbai as thousands of residents once again found themselves stranded, soaked and frustrated. Heavy rains brought the city to a standstill, and this was before the monsoon had even begun in full swing. Roads turned into rivers, vehicles broke down mid-commute and low-lying neighborhoods were waterlogged within hours. Even a newly-built underground metro station could not withstand the heavy downpour as photos and videos of the station flooded with muddy water went viral. The pre-monsoon deluge once again exposed the city's fragile infrastructure and sparked widespread outrage on social media. The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), one of India's richest civic organisations responsible for maintaining Mumbai's infrastructure, initially blamed the problem on rubbish clogging the drains and debris from metro construction, The Hindustan Times newspaper reported. Following criticism, the BMC installed de-watering pumps in flood-prone areas and began manually clearing waste from drains to prevent further waterlogging. But for many residents, the action came too late. The crisis is neither new — nor is it unique to Mumbai. From Delhi in the north to Bengaluru in the south, India's biggest cities flood every monsoon season. Roads collapse, drains overflow, infrastructure is overwhelmed and traffic grinds to a halt. Experts blame rapid unplanned urbanization, poor infrastructure and years of environmental neglect as the root causes of this problem. "The pace of urban expansion has far exceeded the evolution of supporting infrastructure, particularly in water and drainage systems," says Dikshu Kukreja, an architect and urban planner based in Delhi. "Many cities rely on outdated systems designed decades ago. And in the process of unchecked expansion, natural drainage channels, wetlands and water bodies that once absorbed excess rainwater have been built over or neglected," he adds. Experts say there's no one-size-fits-all solution as each city faces unique challenges and factors such as geography, population and climate must be considered when designing effective responses. India receives 80% of its annual rainfall during the monsoon season, which usually starts from June and continues until September. The monsoon is crucial for agriculture and the livelihoods of millions of Indian farmers. They rely on seasonal showers in parts of the country where proper irrigation channels are absent. But experts say climate change has made erratic weather — such as unseasonal rains, flash floods and droughts linked to extreme heat — a more regular phenomenon, directly affecting millions of people. This year the monsoon arrived a week early in parts of southern India, catching authorities unprepared. "A depression developed over the eastern central Arabian Sea which was instrumental in pulling up the monsoon current," says Mahesh Palawat, vice-president of meteorology and climate change at weather forecasting company Skymet. In Delhi, the Minto bridge has become a symbol of the city's annual monsoon chaos. Almost every year, after heavy rain, a bus or lorry gets stuck under the bridge — an image that highlights the city's struggle with urban flooding. This year, Delhi recorded its wettest May since 1901, with more than 185mm of rainfall, according to the Indian weather department. Many residents reported damage to their property. At least four people were killed and dozens more were injured in one of the two heavy storms that hit the city in May, according to media reports. Meanwhile, in Bengaluru, more than 2,000kms (1,240 miles) from the capital, the problem looks different but its root cause is the same. Once known for its network of lakes that helped manage excess rainwater, Bengaluru has seen many of these water bodies encroached upon. In their place now stand apartment complexes, business hubs and roads — leaving the city vulnerable to flooding. "Bengaluru is made up of three major valleys through which water naturally flows. Most of the city's lakes are located in these valleys," explains Ram Prasad, a lake conservation activist. These valleys were originally designated as no-construction zones but over the years, encroachment has taken place and later changes in the law permitted infrastructure projects to be built in the area, he says. "When you convert lakes — which traditionally act as flood buffers — into built-up areas, the water has nowhere to go. So, what we're seeing in Bengaluru today is the result of poor urban planning." Prasad points out that Bengaluru, which sits atop a hill, was never meant to flood and the current situation is entirely man-made. Violations of building norms, especially construction that narrows stormwater drains or builds directly over them, have only made things worse, he says. Meanwhile, Mumbai faces natural challenges due to its geography. For example, many parts of Mumbai are low-lying and close to the sea, which makes them more vulnerable to flooding during heavy rains and high tides. But experts say it's human actions that have made things much worse: cutting down mangroves, which normally act like natural barriers against floods, and building on floodplains where water is supposed to drain. "The breakdown is systemic — it begins with planning that often doesn't account for future climate variabilities, gets exacerbated by poor execution and is compounded by weak enforcement of regulations," Kukerja says. "Political will is often reactive — responding to disasters rather than investing in long-term resilience." This isn't just a big city problem. Smaller towns often suffer equally, if not more. Over the weekend, at least 30 people died in India's northeastern states after heavy rains triggered flooding and landslides. Tens of thousands have been affected, with rescue efforts under way. So, can anything be done to prevent this? "Yes," says Kukreja, but only if it is part of a long-term, co-ordinated strategy. He suggests using mapping and real-time sensors to identify high-risk zones and alert communities. Predictive models can also help authorities plan better responses. "But technology alone is not a fix, it needs to be paired with responsive governance and community involvement," he said. For India's cities to withstand the rains, they need more than just de-watering pumps and quick fixes. They need forward-thinking planning, before the damage is done. — BBC
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Why monsoon rains wreak havoc annually in India's cities
"Who is responsible for this mess?" The question recently echoed across India's financial capital Mumbai as thousands of residents once again found themselves stranded, soaked and frustrated. Heavy rains brought the city to a standstill, and this was before the monsoon had even begun in full swing. Roads turned into rivers, vehicles broke down mid-commute and low-lying neighbourhoods were waterlogged within hours. Even a newly-built underground metro station could not withstand the heavy downpour as photos and videos of the station flooded with muddy water went viral. The pre-monsoon deluge once again exposed the city's fragile infrastructure and sparked widespread outrage on social media. The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), one of India's richest civic organisations responsible for maintaining Mumbai's infrastructure, initially blamed the problem on rubbish clogging the drains and debris from metro construction, The Hindustan Times newspaper reported. Following criticism, the BMC installed de-watering pumps in flood-prone areas and began manually clearing waste from drains to prevent further waterlogging. But for many residents, the action came too late. The crisis is neither new - nor is it unique to Mumbai. From Delhi in the north to Bengaluru in the south, India's biggest cities flood every monsoon season. Roads collapse, drains overflow, infrastructure is overwhelmed and traffic grinds to a halt. Experts blame rapid unplanned urbanisation, poor infrastructure and years of environmental neglect as the root causes of this problem. "The pace of urban expansion has far exceeded the evolution of supporting infrastructure, particularly in water and drainage systems," says Dikshu Kukreja, an architect and urban planner based in Delhi. "Many cities rely on outdated systems designed decades ago. And in the process of unchecked expansion, natural drainage channels, wetlands and water bodies that once absorbed excess rainwater have been built over or neglected," he adds. Experts say there's no one-size-fits-all solution as each city faces unique challenges and factors such as geography, population and climate must be considered when designing effective responses. India receives 80% of its annual rainfall during the monsoon season, which usually starts from June and continues until September. The monsoon is crucial for agriculture and the livelihoods of millions of Indian farmers. They rely on seasonal showers in parts of the country where proper irrigation channels are absent. But experts say climate change has made erratic weather - such as unseasonal rains, flash floods and droughts linked to extreme heat - a more regular phenomenon, directly affecting millions of people. This year the monsoon arrived a week early in parts of southern India, catching authorities unprepared. "A depression developed over the eastern central Arabian Sea which was instrumental in pulling up the monsoon current," says Mahesh Palawat, vice-president of meteorology and climate change at weather forecasting company Skymet. In Delhi, the Minto bridge has become a symbol of the city's annual monsoon chaos. Almost every year, after heavy rain, a bus or lorry gets stuck under the bridge - an image that highlights the city's struggle with urban flooding. This year, Delhi recorded its wettest May since 1901, with more than 185mm of rainfall, according to the Indian weather department. Many residents reported damage to their property. At least four people were killed and dozens more were injured in one of the two heavy storms that hit the city in May, according to media reports. Meanwhile, in Bengaluru, more than 2,000kms (1,240 miles) from the capital, the problem looks different but its root cause is the same. Once known for its network of lakes that helped manage excess rainwater, Bengaluru has seen many of these water bodies encroached upon. In their place now stand apartment complexes, business hubs and roads - leaving the city vulnerable to flooding. "Bengaluru is made up of three major valleys through which water naturally flows. Most of the city's lakes are located in these valleys," explains Ram Prasad, a lake conservation activist. These valleys were originally designated as no-construction zones but over the years, encroachment has taken place and later changes in the law permitted infrastructure projects to be built in the area, he says. "When you convert lakes - which traditionally act as flood buffers - into built-up areas, the water has nowhere to go. So, what we're seeing in Bengaluru today is the result of poor urban planning." Mr Prasad points out that Bengaluru, which sits atop a hill, was never meant to flood and the current situation is entirely man-made. Violations of building norms, especially construction that narrows stormwater drains or builds directly over them, have only made things worse, he says. Meanwhile, Mumbai faces natural challenges due to its geography. For example, many parts of Mumbai are low-lying and close to the sea, which makes them more vulnerable to flooding during heavy rains and high tides. But experts say it's human actions that have made things much worse: cutting down mangroves, which normally act like natural barriers against floods, and building on floodplains where water is supposed to drain. "The breakdown is systemic - it begins with planning that often doesn't account for future climate variabilities, gets exacerbated by poor execution and is compounded by weak enforcement of regulations," Mr Kukerja says. "Political will is often reactive - responding to disasters rather than investing in long-term resilience." This isn't just a big city problem. Smaller towns often suffer equally, if not more. Over the weekend, at least 30 people died in India's northeastern states after heavy rains triggered flooding and landslides. Tens of thousands have been affected, with rescue efforts under way. So, can anything be done to prevent this? "Yes," says Mr Kukreja, but only if it is part of a long-term, co-ordinated strategy. He suggests using mapping and real-time sensors to identify high-risk zones and alert communities. Predictive models can also help authorities plan better responses. "But technology alone is not a fix, it needs to be paired with responsive governance and community involvement," he said. For India's cities to withstand the rains, they need more than just de-watering pumps and quick fixes. They need forward-thinking planning, before the damage is done. Follow BBC News India on Instagram, YouTube, Twitter and Facebook.
Hindustan Times
19-05-2025
- Climate
- Hindustan Times
Delhi feels the heat, real feel temp touches 48.5°C
The Capital clocked a hot and humid day as a combination of clear skies and increased moisture led to uncomfortable weather conditions. Although a maximum temperature of 40.8 degrees Celsius (°C) was recorded on the day, which is normal for this time of the year, high relative humidity—ranging from 44% to 74%—gave Delhi a heat index (HI) or 'real feel' temperature of 48.5°C, according to India Meteorological Department (IMD) data. The high relative humidity translated into increased power consumption in the city too, with the peak power demand crossing the 7,000MW threshold for the first time this season. Delhi's heat index a day earlier was 43.6°C and this rapid single-day increase led to uncomfortable conditions. HI is a measurement to indicate what the temperature feels like to the human body when relative humidity is combined with air temperature. The higher the humidity, the higher the heat index. Delhi's wet bulb temperature, another indicator of thermal discomfort outside, was 28.87°C at the same time. A wet bulb temperature of 32°C or higher makes it difficult for even fit and acclimatised people to work outdoors for long, and at a wet bulb temperature of 35°C—the maximum threshold—humans can no longer regulate body temperatures, leading to heatstroke and potential collapse. Delhi's peak power demand, meanwhile, was recorded at 7,265MW at 3.29pm on Monday, according to data from the State Load Despatch Centre (SLDC). This was the highest peak power demand in the May 1-19 period in the past four years, data showed. It was 7,174MW in 2024, 5,953MW in 2023 and 7,070MW in 2022. For reference, last year's peak power demand, which was also the all-time peak demand, was 8,656MW, recorded on June 19. Delhi's power discoms, BSES and Tata Power DDL, both said they were able to meet the increased power demand successfully, without any network constraint or supply disruption. IMD has forecasted Delhi's maximum temperature to dip, but humidity is expected to remain high, which may give rise to possible light rain and thunderstorms until Saturday. Delhi is expected to record a maximum temperature of 38-40°C until then, albeit with dust-raising gusty winds of up to 50 kilometres per hour. 'There are chances of isolated thunderstorm activity and light rain from Tuesday to Saturday. Such spells are likely on account of high temperature and some moisture incursion,' an IMD official said. Mahesh Palawat, vice president at Skymet Meteorology, said western disturbances have been recorded in northwest India one after another, which have kept humidity high. 'Western disturbances have existed as a cyclonic circulation and this cyclonic circulation is what is feeding moisture to the region. At the same time, temperature is high and this gives rise to local thunderstorm activity, strong winds and then short but intense spells of rain,' he said. AQI back to 'poor' again Delhi's air quality index (AQI) deteriorated to the 'poor' category on Monday, with ozone emerging as the day's prominent pollutant. The 24-hour average AQI was 201 ('poor') at 4pm on Monday, according to the Central Pollution Control Board's daily bulletin. In comparison, the AQI was 179 ('moderate') a day earlier. The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) in NCR also convened an emergency meeting to discuss whether Stage 1 measures of the Graded Response Action Plan (Grap) were needed, but decided against it, citing an improvement in AQI later in the day. CAQM said that while the AQI was over 200 at 4pm, it was down to 186 by 7pm. CAQM officials said they will continue to review the situation. Forecasts by the Centre's Air Quality Early Warning System (EWS) for Delhi show AQI is likely to remain 'moderate' till Thursday.
Hindustan Times
18-05-2025
- Climate
- Hindustan Times
Hot day in Delhi a day after storm
After the winds came the calm. After a day marked by building collapse, trees being uprooted and infrastructure damages due to gusty winds of over 70 kilometres per hour (kmph), Delhi clocked a relatively uneventful day, with a maximum temperature of 41.4 degrees Celsius (°C) and surface winds of 15-20kmph speed, despite a yellow alert in place for most of the day, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD). While there is no colour-coded alert from Monday, IMD forecasted isolated spells of light rain and winds up to a speed of 50kmph, which will keep maximum temperature in check and avoid heatwave conditions at least till May 24, IMD said. The favourable meteorology also kept Delhi's air quality in the 'moderate' zone for a second consecutive day, in view of which the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) in NCR to lift Stage 1 measures of the Graded Response Action Plan (Grap). 'Keeping in view this trend of improvement in the AQI of Delhi and also the forecasts indicating the average air quality of Delhi to stay in 'moderate' category in the coming days (for which forecast is available), the CAQM Sub-Committee on Grap unanimously decided to revoke stage-1 of the extant schedule of GRAP in the entire NCR, with immediate effect,' it said. There was also no rain recorded in the Capital up to 5.30pm. It has been a fairly wet May already, as Delhi received 92.7mm of monthly rainfall until 8.30am on Sunday, which is over three times the long-period average of 30.7mm for May. Mahesh Palawat, vice president at Skymet Meteorology, said that back-to-back western disturbances have played a key role in not allowing the temperature to rise significantly. 'We have seen western disturbances approach northwest India in May, one after another, as a cyclonic circulation. At present, a cyclonic circulation and a trough will both persist over the northern plains this coming week, with a possibility of rain and gusty winds to continue,' he said. 'There will be enough moisture in the atmosphere this coming week. Therefore, thunderclouds will develop mostly during late afternoon and evening, leading to dust storm, thunderstorms and light rain,' he said, stating while such a phenomenon occurs in May, the intensity and frequency have been higher this year. IMD also forecasted a marginal dip in maximum temperature on Monday, with it likely to hover between 38°C and 40°C. The minimum on Sunday was 26.9°C, around normal. It is expected to hover between 26°C and 29°C until Tuesday, IMD said.
