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May records highest rainfall since 1901; Delhi remained unusually cool
May records highest rainfall since 1901; Delhi remained unusually cool

Hindustan Times

time03-06-2025

  • Climate
  • Hindustan Times

May records highest rainfall since 1901; Delhi remained unusually cool

New Delhi: The month of May was unusually cooler this year, with average daytime temperatures recording the seventh lowest for the month since 1901 and the lowest in the last four years, according to the India Meteorological Department's temperature and rainfall report for May. Night-time temperatures, or minimum temperatures, were also on the lower side this May, which recorded the 59th lowest average minimum temperatures for the month since 1901. 'Over India, the average maximum temperature (35.08 degree Celsius) was 7th lowest and average minimum temperature (24.07 degree Celsius) was 59th lowest since 1901. Mean temperature (29.57 degree Celsius) was the 19th lowest since 1901,' the IMD report said. The report also highlighted that the average rainfall across the country in May, recorded at 126.7 mm (106.4% of the long period average), was the highest for the month since 1901, when the temperatures first began recording. This May also recorded the highest number of heavy (64.5 to 115.5 mm) rain events at 1,053; very heavy (115.6 to 204.5 mm) rain events at 262; and extremely heavy (more than 204.5 mm) rain events at 39, in the past five years, barring 2021, when the number of extremely heavy rain events was higher at 42. OP Sreejith, scientist and head, Climate Monitoring and Prediction Group, IMD, cited long spells of 'overcast skies and wet conditions' behind the unusually cooler month of May this year. 'There are three main reasons for such unusual rains. First, Monsoon arrived early. Secondly, two depressions formed over Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal; and third, more Western Disturbances (WDs) impacted northern India,' Sreejith said. According to IMD data, the coolest May was recorded in 1917, when the average maximum temperature across the country was logged at 33.09°C. The next coolest May was recorded in 1933, with the average daytime temperature at 34.10°C, followed by 34.88°C in 1977, 34.93°C in 2021, 34.98°C in 1920, and 35.05°C in 1971. Over Central India, the average day temperature the previous month stood at 36.63 degree Celsius, the third lowest since 1901, while the average minimum temperature (25.14 degree Celsius) was the 12th lowest since 1901. Mean temperature (30.89 degree C) was the 3rd lowest since 1901, according to IMD. HT has earlier reported that May has been unusual for northwest India, particularly because of persistence of slow-moving western disturbances over the region. WDs are cyclones originating in the Mediterranean Sea which move east and bring winter rain to the northwest India. The impact of WDs is felt normally during December, January and February, but this year they have been active till late May. A persistence of WDs is normally deemed unfavourable for the monsoon, according to experts. 'WDs are persisting till summer this year. Monsoon has not progressed to NW India yet and hence we cannot say whether it will interact with these WDs. One of the main reasons we are seeing sudden, intense thunderstorm activity over NW India is the unusual persistence of these WDs,' M Mohapatra, director general, IMD, said last week. The northern limit of the Southwest Monsoon continues to pass through Mumbai, Ahilyanagar, Adilabad, Bhawanipatna, Puri, Sandhead Island. It has not progressed since last week, IMD said.

Monsoon likely to hit Kerala by May 24-25, earliest in 16 years, says IMD
Monsoon likely to hit Kerala by May 24-25, earliest in 16 years, says IMD

Time of India

time20-05-2025

  • Climate
  • Time of India

Monsoon likely to hit Kerala by May 24-25, earliest in 16 years, says IMD

Pune: The southwest monsoon is expected to hit Kerala on May 24 or 25-a week ahead of its normal onset date of June 1-marking the earliest arrival on the Indian mainland in 16 years. "The conditions are likely to become favourable for monsoon onset over Kerala during next 4-5 days," the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said in a media statement on Tuesday. In its earlier forecast issued on April 15, IMD had predicted the monsoon to reach Kerala on May 27. The monsoon's onset over northeast India is expected during the same time as its onset over Kerala. The weather office has issued a red warning for extremely heavy falls (more than 20 cm) for Kerala, coastal and Ghat areas of Karnataka and Goa for Tuesday and Wednesday. Apart from localised flooding of roads and waterlogging in low lying areas, IMD has cautioned about localised landslides and mudslides in Kerala. It has forecast heavy to very heavy rainfall over the west coast including Karnataka, Konkan, Goa and Kerala and adjoining Peninsular India till May 26. Heavy to very heavy rainfall accompanied with thunderstorms and lightning is likely over Northeast India and over Sub-Himalayan West Bengal and Sikkim during the next three days, IMD said. Positive sentiments An early onset of monsoon brings positive sentiments as it directly affects many sectors of the economy, particularly agriculture. However, experts said, what is crucial is the timely progression of the monsoon to cover the entire country, which can yield bumper crops in the crucial kharif season , when India grows key crops like pulses, rice, oilseeds, cotton and vegetables. IMD has predicted formation of an upper air cyclonic circulation over east central Arabian Sea off Karnataka coast around May 21. "Under its influence, a low-pressure area is likely to form over the same region around May 22. Thereafter, it is likely to move northwards and intensify further," it said. "The low-pressure system helps to increase the flow of monsoon winds (cross equatorial winds) from southern hemisphere to northern hemisphere," said OP Sreejith, head of climate monitoring and prediction group at IMD. According to weather experts, the formation of a low-pressure area in the Arabian Sea during the monsoon season is usually not good for the monsoon as it disturbs the flow of monsoon winds. "The low-pressure system is forming in the Arabian Sea and moving towards the northwest direction. Along with this, the monsoon flow is also strengthening. Both these things will ensure that there will be good rainfall till the end of May over Kerala, coastal Karnataka and Konkan," said M Rajeevan, former secretary at the Ministry of Earth Sciences. "However, there is no clarity yet about the progress of the monsoon after June 2," he added. If the monsoon hits mainland India before May 29, it would be the earliest onset since 2009 when it made landfall on May 23. The monsoon had reached the Andamans on May 13-nine days earlier than its normal time of May 22. IMD in its statement said the conditions are likely to become favourable for "further advance of monsoon over some more parts of South Arabian Sea, remaining parts of Maldives and Comorin area; some parts of Lakshadweep area, Kerala, Tamil Nadu; some more parts South and Central Bay of Bengal, Northeast Bay of Bengal and some parts of the Northeastern states during the same period."

Too Soon! Monsoon hits Andamans nine days earlier
Too Soon! Monsoon hits Andamans nine days earlier

Time of India

time13-05-2025

  • Climate
  • Time of India

Too Soon! Monsoon hits Andamans nine days earlier

Pune: The southwest monsoon has arrived in parts of Andaman Sea and Bay of Bengal, nine days earlier than normal, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) announced on Tuesday. "The southwest monsoon has advanced into some parts of south Bay of Bengal, south Andaman Sea, Nicobar Islands and some parts of north Andaman Sea," the weather office said in a statement. The southwest monsoon normally reaches the Andamans on May 22. Early arrival of the monsoon is rare. The last time monsoons reached the Andamans this early was on May 14, 2017, according to IMD. The weather office had issued a forecast of early arrival of the monsoon on the mainland on May 27, with a model error of +/- 4 days. Usually, monsoon takes about eight days to progress from the Andaman and Nicobar Islands to Kerala, from May 22 to June 1. "Conditions are favourable for further advance of SW monsoon over some parts of south Arabian Sea, Maldives & Comorin area; some more parts of South Bay of Bengal, entire Andaman & Nicobar Islands, remaining parts of Andaman Sea; and some parts of central Bay of Bengal during next 3-4 days," IMD said. Live Events Timely arrival of monsoon and its progress across the country is crucial for sowing of kharif crops, vital for ensuring India's food security. The IMD has issued a forecast of above-normal rainfall of 105% in 2025 monsoon season. "The early onset of the 2025 southwest monsoon is due to the combination of neutral El Nino conditions and favourable atmospheric and oceanic patterns," said OP Sreejith, head, climate monitoring and prediction group, IMD, Pune.

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