The scorching heat in the districts of Punjab is a matterof pain for many; the south-western monsoon winds haven’t reached the region ofPunjab and are delayed by a month.
The Indian Meteorological Department has said that the monsoonswere delayed by almost a month, was likely to begin over the remaining parts ofPunjab, Haryana, Delhi, west Uttar Pradesh, and Rajasthan during July 10 to 12.
Only two regions Ludhiana and Kapurthala, have reportednormal rainfall so far. This delay in the monsoon has caused 99% deficiency in the rest of the 20 districts in Punjab, said IMD.
In a monsoon and rainfall forecast report of Punjabsubmitted to Chief Secretary Vini Mahajan, the Director-General of MeteorologyDr. Mrutyunjay Mohapatra said, “theSouthwest monsoon has covered some parts of north Punjab (Pathankot, Gurdaspur,Hoshiarpur, Ropar, and Mohali) and Haryana on June 13 and thereafter no furtheradvance has taken place over both these states till July 7.”
“Due to the impact of stronger middle latitude drycontinental westerly winds, monsoon has been weak causing the subdued rainfall,especially during June 25 to July 6. The first half of June experienced above-normal rainfall, which reduced thereafter. However, scattered rainfall occurredon a few occasions during this period,” he disclosed.
When the IMD DG submitted the weather report for the next10 days they said that according to the latest numerical weather prediction modelguidance, the moist easterly winds in the lower level from the Bay of Bengal arelikely to spread into northwest India covering Punjab and north Haryana by July10.
“Accordingly, the southwest monsoon is likely to advanceover remaining parts of Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, west Uttar Pradesh andRajasthan during July 10 to 12,” he revealed.
Dr. Mohapatra told that the pending rainfall activity isvery likely to continue over Punjab till July 9. However, isolatedthunderstorms can also be expected over Punjab till July 9.
“The monsoon activity would revive commencing from July 9night with rainfall at many places in the state. It is likely to increasefurther during July 11 to 12 with moderate rainfall at many places over thestate and isolated heavy rainfall. During the period from July 11 to 16, allthe districts of Punjab are expected to receive cumulative rainfall of about 50to 70 mm,” the IMD DG added.
The report was submitted after the Chief Secretary hadheld a meeting with the Secretary to the Union Ministry of Earth Sciences(MoES) regarding the present scenario of monsoon and thunderstorm forecast ofPunjab.
The extreme dry spell is a cause of a major power crisisin the agricultural state with the demand touching a high peak and theconsumers are losing their temper under the frequent power cuts.