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New Indian Express
4 days ago
- Climate
- New Indian Express
Uttarakhand sees record June chill as pre-monsoon rain cools temperatures
DEHRADUN: Uttarakhand is witnessing an unexpected drop in temperatures, breaking a 10-year heat record as heavy pre-monsoon rainfall continues to cool the region. The unusual weather pattern has been linked to strong moisture-carrying winds from the Bay of Bengal, which have led to sustained showers across the state. Officials at the State Meteorological Centre said the consistent rainfall from March to May, driven by Western Disturbances and increased atmospheric moisture, is the main reason behind the temperature drop. This year's pre-monsoon period brought far more rain than usual, which prevented summer temperatures from rising and significantly reduced forest fire incidents in higher altitudes. Speaking exclusively to TNIE, Dr. Bikram Singh, Director of the State Meteorological Centre, explained, "The comparatively higher pre-monsoon rainfall from March to May has been the primary reason for this temperature dip. The continuous nature of the rain not only sustained the drop in mercury but also significantly reduced incidents of forest fires in the state's higher reaches, further contributing to the cooler conditions. The absence of forest fires has also ensured a pleasant climate." Dr. Singh further acknowledged a discernible shift in weather patterns, remarking that the summer period has "shrunk." "With the monsoon now at our doorstep, the summer season has virtually disappeared," he observed. He further said that the sustained strong winds from the Bay of Bengal and Western Disturbances, coupled with intermittent rainfall, left "no gap for temperatures to rise," thus preventing the usual summer escalation. This shift has brought rare relief in June, a month usually marked by intense heat. For the first time in a decade, the first week of June is being marked by pleasant, even chilly, weather across much of the state. In mountainous areas, people have taken out sweaters and blankets, while in the plains, many have turned off their air conditioners. Shubhankar Dimri, a hotelier in Joshimath, told TNIE, "We are having to wear sweaters even in June this year. Such a weather cycle was last witnessed nearly 30 years ago." Quoting his father, Subhash Dimri, Shubhankar added, "This time, there has been unexpected snowfall in Gorso, just 4 kilometres beyond Auli and Joshimath, which in itself is a record." In Dehradun, the maximum temperature has been recorded at eight degrees below normal for the second time in a week. On Tuesday, the city saw a daytime high of 27.6 degrees Celsius and a night temperature of 17.3 degrees — the lowest June minimum in 10 years. Environmentalists have expressed concern over the shift in weather cycles. Ira Chauhan told TNIE, "The way the summer period has shrunk could prove to be a fatal factor for our vegetation, fruits, horticulture, and overall food security. This is a significant warning bell."
Time of India
02-06-2025
- Climate
- Time of India
250 Mizoram families relocated to safer spots
1 2 3 4 5 6 Aizawl: As extremely heavy rainfall continued to lash Mizoram on Sunday night, over 250 families across the state were evacuated to safer places, while the State Meteorological Centre predicted heavy rainfall on Monday and a few days after that, especially in southern parts of the state. Reports from Lawngtlai said 130 families of Myanmar refugees were shifted to safer places, including community halls at nearby villages after the relief camps where they are being lodge were inundated by rising river levels at Kakichhuah and surrounding villages from Saturday afternoon. The refugees lodged in the area are mainly Chins from Paletwa township of southern Chin state. However, the incident could not be officially confirmed. At least 25 families were evacuated from the banks of the river Tlawng in Bairabi town of Kolasib district bordering Assam till Monday as the state's largest river has been rising due to torrential rain. Kolasib district SP David H. Lalthangliana told TOI, "Due to the recent heavy rainfall, Tlawng River's levels had risen rapidly, resulting in the flooding of low-lying areas across several parts of Bairabi town. Although no hous was fully submerged, many were inundated by floodwaters, and people were evacuated as a precautionary measure. " Lalthangliana said majority of the affected families have taken shelter with their relatives within the town, while 4 families have been lodged in Mizoram Agriculture Solution warehouse, being used as a relief camp.
