Latest news with #South-WestMonsoon
The Star
5 days ago
- Climate
- The Star
Mada steps up support for padi farmers ahead of expected dry spell
ALOR SETAR: The Muda Agricultural Development Authority (Mada) is prepared for the arrival of the South-West Monsoon, which is expected to bring dry and hot weather conditions this month, to ensure the success of the first padi planting season this year. It advised farmers through a statement on Friday (June 6) to adhere strictly to the scheduled planting calendar and expedite planting to maintain a smooth agricultural cycle. "To address the anticipated water shortage, Mada has intensified the operation of drainage water reuse pumps and booster pumps to increase irrigation supply and speed up water distribution to padi fields. "Mada is also deploying mobile pumps directly to affected fields to help farmers access water from the existing irrigation network,' the statement read. The agency said it had also held briefings and coordination meetings with field officers and farmers to tackle irrigation challenges, while expanding its agricultural extension efforts to ensure farmers remain aligned with the planting schedule. "Farmer cooperation is crucial during this dry season to ensure uninterrupted planting activities,' it said. Efficient on-field water management is key to ensuring equitable and sufficient distribution throughout the season, it added. It also encouraged regular monitoring to reduce the risk of pest and disease outbreaks that could affect crop yields. As of Thursday (June 5), water levels at all three of Mada's main dams remain adequate, namely Pedu Dam at 66.34%, Muda Dam at 66.87%, and Ahning Dam at 68.52%. "These levels indicate that the overall water reserves are sufficient to support irrigation needs for Season 1/2025 in Muda Area,' the statement read. Water will be released from the dams and distributed in phases according to the official Season 1/2025 Paddy Planting Schedule, it added. The agency will also continue to monitor weather developments, relying on forecasts and advisories from the Malaysian Meteorological Department to prepare for potential heat waves or prolonged dry spells. – Bernama
The Star
23-05-2025
- Climate
- The Star
INTERACTIVE: No extreme dry conditions expected despite hot 2024
Malaysian Meteorological Department assistant officer Norashikin Anuar monitoring weather conditions through satelite/radar images at Malaysian Meteorological Department, Petaling Jaya. — FAIHAN GHANI/The Star PETALING JAYA: Last year turned out to be the fourth hottest year on record for Malaysia, but no extreme dry conditions are expected this year, says the Malaysian Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia). Although Malaysia is currently experiencing more dry days than rainy days due to the South-West Monsoon, heavy rains with thunderstorms and strong winds may still occur occasionally. 'The majority of forecasts produced by the latest international weather models do not expect extreme dry weather phenomena to occur throughout this Southwest monsoon season,' said MetMalaysia director-general Dr Mohd Hisham Mohd Anip. Mohd Hisham said current ENSO (El Nino-Southern Oscillation) conditions, which affects global weather patterns, are neutral and are expected to remain so throughout the year. A neutral ENSO means the climate is neither in an El Nino nor a La Nina state, but is in a normal condition. El Nino is a climate pattern typically bringing hotter, drier weather to Malaysia, while La Nina usually causes wetter conditions. 'Therefore, the country is also expected to experience the inter-monsoon transition from late September to early November, along with the Northeast monsoon at the end of the year under normal conditions." Mohd Hisham said last year was the fourth hottest year observed since 1981, when MetMalaysia began tracking the country's annual average temperature. The average annual temperature for Malaysia in 2024 was 27.55°C. He said the warmest year was 2016 (27.84°C), followed by 1998 (27.7°C) and 2019 (27.63°C). He said that Chuping, Perlis, had the highest temperature recorded last year with the mercury rising to 39.0°C on March 23. Chuping also experienced 52 consecutive days without rain in 2024, marking it as the location with the longest dry spell in 2024. Mohd Hisham said that the country experienced 45 days under a Level 2 high temperature advisory last year, the highest for any year in the past decade. A Level 2 (Orange) advisory means that a location is officially facing a heatwave, with temperatures going above 37°C but remaining below 40°C. According to previous reports by The Star , MetMalaysia issued nearly 2,000 Level 1 and Level 2 high temperature alerts since 2023. Among the locations or areas most affected by extreme temperatures, Baling in Kedah emerged as the hottest spot, receiving the highest number of alerts at 73. This was followed by Padang Terap with 61 alerts and Pendang with 56 alerts.
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Business Standard
15-05-2025
- Business
- Business Standard
Fertiliser stocks zoom up to 8% on Thursday; here's what fueling the rally
Shares of fertiliser companies were buzzing in trade on Thursday, May 15, 2025. Major fertiliser stocks rallied up to 8.5 per cent. National Fertilizers was leading the gains, and was up 8.5 per cent, it was followed by Madras Fertilisers up 8.1 per cent, Rama Phosphates up 5 per cent, Khaitan Chemicals & Fertilizers 4.8 per cent, Krishna Phoschem 4.3 per cent, and Deepak Fertilizers 4 per cent as of 12:45 PM. Among others, The Fertilisers and Chemicals Travancore (FACT), Bohra Industries, Mangalore Chemicals & Fertilizers, Coromandel International, Rashtriya Chemicals and Fertilizers, Paradeep Phosphates and Southern Petrochemicals Industries Corporation rose up to 3.5 per cent each. In comparison, the benchmark Nity50 index was trading at 24,676.25 levels, down 9.35 points or 0.04 per cent. Catch Stock Market Updates Today LIVE According to analysts, the better-than-expected retail inflation data and expectations of a good monsoon season ahead have lifted the sentiment around fertiliser stocks. Kranthi Bathini, director - equity strategy at WealthMills Securities, said that the fertiliser stocks are coming out of a consolidation phase amid expectations of a strong monsoon ahead and cooling inflation. "Provided the timing and if the monsoons are normal, FY26 could see a resurgence in demand for domestic fertiliser companies," Bathini said. In April, India's consumer price index-based inflation slipped to 3.16 per cent, its lowest in nearly six years. Retail inflation stood at 3.34 per cent in March. Last month, the India Meteorological Department projected an above-normal monsoon this year. In quantitative terms, the monsoon rainfall (June-September) across the country is expected to be 105 per cent of the long-period average (LPA), which stands at 87cm, with a model error of 5 per cent both sides, according to the weather department's initial estimate for the South-West Monsoon. ALSO READ | Echoing similar views, Ravi Singh, senior vice president for retail research at Religare Broking, says the fertiliser stocks are witnessing aggressive lower-level buying after a consolidation phase. Additionally, the stocks were rangebound due to the tensions around the India-Pakistan conflict. Singh recommends 'The Fertilisers and Chemicals Travancore' and 'Deepak Fertilisers' as potential buys amid expectations of high demand in the coming monsoon.
Indian Express
14-05-2025
- Climate
- Indian Express
Monsoon in India: What you must know for UPSC exam
Take a look at the essential events, concepts, terms, quotes, or phenomena every day and brush up your knowledge. Here's your knowledge nugget for today on monsoon in India. (Relevance: The topic of the monsoon in India is an important part of the UPSC CSE syllabus. Previously, UPSC has asked various questions related to the same topic; for instance, in 2023, a question was asked on the South-West Monsoon.) The India Meteorological Department (IMD) Tuesday (May 13) announced the onset of the Southwest Monsoon over some areas of the Bay of Bengal and Andaman Sea at least a week before its scheduled arrival time, and said it would further advance to more parts of the country during the next three to four days. This year's monsoon onset over these regions is the earliest recorded in the past seven years. As per IMD's monsoon onset schedule, the normal date for the monsoon onset over the South Andaman Sea, and Port Blair in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands is May 21. There are two notable types of monsoon in India: (1) Southwest monsoon: It occurs from June to September. It hits Kerala on the southwestern coast and then proceeds across the country. • This monsoon is the primary monsoon affecting India — it not only brings respite from the heat but also contributes to the country's ecosystem and economy, especially the growing of kharif crops. • Over 70 per cent of the country receives the majority of its annual rainfall during the June to September season. The country's Long Period Average is 880 mm. (2) Northeast monsoon: It is another significant and persistent aspect of the Indian subcontinent's climate system. Its name comes from the direction of the monsoon winds, which blow from northeast to southwest. • It occurs from October to December and affects peninsular India. It is not as intense as the southwest monsoon but is crucial for the growth of rabi crops. • The northeast monsoon is key for Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Puducherry, Karaikal, coastal Andhra Pradesh, Rayalaseema and Yanam in southern India. Of the total annual rainfall, Tamil Nadu receives nearly 48 per cent (443.3mm) during the October to December months, important for rabi cultivation. • The Northeast monsoon is also known as the winter monsoon, retreating monsoon, or reverse monsoon. 1. If 'm' is the mean and 'd' is the standard deviation of any climate variable like rainfall. Assuming the time series is normally distributed, 68 per cent of the observations fall within +/- standard deviation (d) from the mean. 2. If the realised value of the variable falls between: (i) m-d to m+d (Normal rainfall) (ii) less than m-d (Below normal rainfall) (iii) more than m+d (Above normal rainfall) The study, 'Decoding India's Changing Monsoon Patterns: A Tehsil-level Assessment', was carried out by Shravan Prabhu and Vishwas Chitale of the Council on Energy, Environment and Water (CEEW), a research and policy think-tank. The study found that monsoon patterns in India have been fast-shifting. It is mainly driven by the accelerating rate of climate change. Findings of the Assessment are: 1. There has been a notable increase in rainfall in the tehsils of traditionally drier areas, like Rajasthan, Gujarat, the Konkan region, central Maharashtra, and parts of Tamil Nadu. These regions witnessed a jump of more than 30% in the southwest monsoon rainfall when compared to the baseline of 1981–2011. 2. Meanwhile, traditionally high monsoon rainfall areas such as Assam and Meghalaya saw a reduction in rainfall. 3. The southwest monsoon rainfall rose in 55% of India's tehsils. The increase, however, has resulted from short-duration, severe rainfall, which frequently causes flash floods. 4. During the southwest monsoon in India, wet extremes account for an increasing share of total seasonal rainfall. 5. Changes in monsoon patterns can affect agriculture output and ecosystems. 6. Rainfall is not distributed evenly throughout the seasons and months. 7. The retreating monsoon rainfall spiked by more than 10% in approximately 80% of tehsils in Tamil Nadu, 44% in Telangana, and 39% in Andhra Pradesh. India Meteorological Department (IMD) issues colour-coded weather alerts from time to time during the monsoon. These keep citizens informed and help in greater preparedness in times of unpredictable weather conditions. Alerts by the IMD are colour-coded from Green to Red. 1. 'Green' stands for 'No warning': no action needs to be taken by the authorities, and the forecast is of light to moderate rain. According to the weather department, 15.6 mm to 64.4 mm rain is considered 'moderate'. 2.'Yellow' alert signifies 'Watch', and authorities are advised to 'Be updated' on the situation. According to the weather department, 64.5 mm to 115.5 mm rain is considered 'heavy'. 3. 'Orange' warning stands for 'Alert', and authorities are expected to 'Be prepared'. The forecast during an Orange warning is of heavy to very heavy rainfall. According to IMD, 115.6 mm to 204.4 mm rain is considered 'very heavy'. 4. 'Red' alert stands for 'Warning', and asks authorities to 'Take action'. The forecast is for extremely heavy rainfall. The IMD, however, clarifies that 'Red colour warning does not mean 'Red Alert',' and that it only means 'take action'. According to IMD, more than 204.5 mm rain is considered 'extremely heavy'. Mission Mausam 1. Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched 'Mission Mausam', which aims to make the country a 'weather-ready' and 'climate-smart' nation, in Delhi on 14th January as part of the events marking the 150th foundation day of the IMD. 2. In September 2024, the Union Cabinet approved 'Mission Mausam', with a budget of Rs. 2000 crores, to enhance India's ability to predict and respond to extreme weather events and the impacts of climate change. 3. It will be primarily implemented by three key institutions under the Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES): the India Meteorological Department, the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology, and the National Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasting. 4. Critical elements of 'Mission Mausam' include- the deployment of next-generation radars and satellite systems with advanced sensors, high-performance supercomputers, the development of enhanced Earth system models, and a GIS-based automated decision support system for real-time data sharing. (1) With reference to the Monsoons in India, consider the following statements: 1. The southwest monsoon brings more than half of India's annual rainfall. 2. The 'above normal' rainfall is attributed mainly to the El Nino conditions. 3. During the northeast monsoon, the direction of the monsoon winds is from southwest to northeast. How many of the statements given above are correct? (a) Only one (b) Only two (c) All three (d) None (2) With reference to the Northeast monsoon, consider the following statements: 1. About 75 per cent of the country's annual rainfall is received from the Northeast monsoon. 2. It is confined to the Southern peninsula with Tamil Nadu accounting for maximum rainfall. 3. It is also known as winter monsoon. How many of the statements given above are correct? (a) Only one (b) Only two (c) All three (d) None (Sources: How India's monsoon rain pattern has been changing amid climate change by Alind Chauhan, IMD declares monsoon onset over South Bay of Bengal, South Andaman Sea) Subscribe to our UPSC newsletter. Stay updated with the latest UPSC articles by joining our Telegram channel – Indian Express UPSC Hub, and follow us on Instagram and X. 🚨 Click Here to read the UPSC Essentials magazine for April 2025. Share your views and suggestions in the comment box or at Manas Srivastava 🚨 Roshni Yadav is a Deputy Copy Editor with The Indian Express. She is an alumna of the University of Delhi and Jawaharlal Nehru University, where she pursued her graduation and post-graduation in Political Science. She has over five years of work experience in ed-tech and media. At The Indian Express, she writes for the UPSC section. Her interests lie in national and international affairs, governance, economy, and social issues. You can contact her via email: ... 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The Star
07-05-2025
- Climate
- The Star
South-West Monsoon to start May 10, to last until September
KUALA LUMPUR: The South-West Monsoon is expected to begin on May 10 and continue until September, marked by winds blowing consistently from the southwest across the country. Malaysian Meteorological Department (METMalaysia) director-general Dr Mohd Hisham Mohd Anip said that during the South-West Monsoon, lower humidity levels typically lead to reduced rain cloud formation across most areas. "As a result, the country will experience reduced rainfall during this period, with more dry days than rainy ones. "However, heavy rain, strong winds, and thunderstorms may still occur in the western parts of the Peninsula, northern Sarawak, and the western part of Sabah, particularly in the early morning, due to the squall line phenomenon. This occurs when winds converge, creating a line of thunderstorms which can last for several hours," he said in a statement on Wednesday (May 7). During the peak of the season, from July to September, there is a possibility of local and cross-border haze if open burning activities are not effectively managed. He stressed that open burning should be strictly avoided to help mitigate haze and prevent environmental pollution, while also urging the public to use water sparingly during this period. For the latest weather updates, the public can visit the official MetMalaysia website, download the myCuaca mobile app, follow the department's official social media channels, or contact the hotline at 1-300-22-1638 for any further inquiries. - Bernama
