Monsoon finally hits city

PUNE: Monsoon finally arrived in the city on Monday. According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), Pune reported 2.2 millimetre of rainfall and Lohegaon reported 64 millimetre rainfall. Various parts of the city such as Shivajinagar, Baner, Kothrud, Pashan, Aundh, Camp, Hadapsar and others witnessed heavy rain.

On Monday, the fire brigade reported two tree felling incidents at Hadapsar industrial estate and Wadgaon Budruk near Sinhgad Road. Also, about 30 places in the city reported waterlogging such as Kothrud, Swargate, Koregaon Park, Warje, Dattawadi, Yerwada, Khadki, Hadapsar, Wanawadi and others.     

As per IMD, Southwest Monsoon has further advanced into some more parts of central Arabian Sea, Konkan, most parts of central Maharashtra, remaining parts of Marathwada, Vidarbha, some parts of Madhya Pradesh, some more parts of Chhattisgarh and Uttar Pradesh and some parts of Uttarakhand.

The Northern Limit of Monsoon (NLM) passes through Alibagh, Malegaon, Khandwa, Chhindwara, Mandla, Pendra, Sultanpur, Lakhimpur Kheri and Mukteshwar. According to weather experts, only about 8 per cent of Maharashtra is not covered under the NLM.

IMD has further added that conditions are becoming favourable for further advance of Southwest Monsoon till June 26. 

Speaking to Sakal Times, Anupam Kashyapi, Head of Weather at IMD Pune, said that only seven to eight per cent of Maharashtra including Mumbai is yet to be covered by the monsoon.

“In Mumbai, it rained which was less. But the conditions are favourable for further advancement. The monsoon is here as per the prediction made by IMD. The further advancement is expected as the conditions are favourable,” said Kashyapi.

He added that though the monsoon system is not very strong, there are other factors which will give good rains to the State.

“There are three weather systems, firstly, the upper air cyclonic circulation over Gujarat, secondly, the upper air cyclonic circulation over Vidarbha and Chhattisgarh. And thirdly, the turf which is passing through north Rajasthan via Madhya Pradesh. The combined effect of these three systems will help Maharashtra to get good rains till June 29,” said Kashyapi. He further said that after June 26, rainfall will be reduced in madhya Vidarbha and Marathwada. 

“But Konkan and Goa will continue to have isolated heavy rainfall over the coming few days. There is good recharge of water so there will be good rains in the State,” added Kashyapi.

According to IMD, between June 1 and June 24, Maharashtra has a total of 58 per cent rainfall deficiency. Various regions like central Maharashtra has a rainfall deficiency of 52 per cent, followed by Marathwada at 47 per cent deficiency. And Vidarbha has reported a deficiency of 72 per cent during this time.

The country as a whole has 37.9 per cent overall deficiency between June 1 and June 23. During this time, northwest India has a rainfall deficiency of 19.7 per cent, east and northeast India has 44 per cent deficiency, central India has 43.5 per cent deficiency and the southern peninsula has 29.9 per cent rainfall deficiency.