New Delhi: The monsoon, crucial for India`s
trillion-dollar economy, is likely to cover all parts of the
country in the next three or four days.
"Conditions are becoming favourable for further advance
of monsoon into remaining parts of the country during next 3-4
days," the Indian Meteorological Department said today.
However, it said, the advance of monsoon over parts of
Uttar Pradesh may be feeble.
The monsoon rains have been 16 per cent below normal for
this season, mostly due to sluggish progress. The annual rains
have not advanced since June 18 when they covered half of the
country.
The monsoon has advanced into remaining parts of Gujarat,
South Rajasthan, some parts of Madhya Pradesh and Uttar
Pradesh due to a low pressure area brewing up in the Bay of
Bengal.
"The conditions are favourable for the further advance of
the monsoon to the remaining parts of the country," a senior
IMD official said.
Sowing for kharif crops has been picking up momentum
across the country and as per Agriculture Ministry reports
paddy has been sown in 24.12 lakh hectares.
Rice output declined to 89.31 million tonnes in 2008-09
from the previous year`s 99.18 million tonnes due to the
drought.
Monsoon had set in over Kerala on May 31 and formation of
cyclone `Laila` over the Bay of Bengal hastened its advance
particularly in the north-east.
Later, its progress was halted for almost a week due to
formation of cyclone `Phet` over the Arabian Sea.
On June 25, IMD revised its April forecast and pegged the
quantum of rains for the country for June-September period at
102 per cent of the Long Period Average (LPA).
Monsoon gives respite to people
Monsoon today advanced to parts
of north India giving respite to people from hot and
humid conditions.
After a delay of over a fortnight, the south-west monsoon
descended over parts of Rajasthan, Haryana and Chandigarh
while the seasonal phenomenon is expected to hit the national
capital in the next couple of days.
Temperature remained within normal levels as people
finally heaved a sigh of relief after experiencing scorching
heat this season with temperature clocking the high forties on
several occasions.
Gurgaon in Haryana recorded 160 mm rainfall while Nangal
Dam and its catchment areas received 47 mm of rains since last
evening. The downpour resulted in considerable drop in mercury
but the high humidity posed problems for the citizens.
Monsoon rains lashed Udaipur, Kota, Jhalawar and
Bharatpur in Rajasthan since last night. However, it is yet to
progress to north-west regions of Jodhpur, Barmer, Jaislamer,
Bikaner, Churu and Sikar where the hot conditions prevailed.
National capital Delhi too experienced rains which
brought down the temperature considerably. However, the MeT
Department termed them as `pre-monsoon showers` and said the
monsoon will hit the city in the next couple of days.
Palam recorded an overnight rainfall of 29.9 mm, followed
by Ayanagar 21.5 mm, Lodhi road 16.4 mm, Safdarjung 15.9 mm
and Ridge area 1.8 mm.
The night temperature in the city settled at comfortable
25.5 C against 30.5 degrees yesterday.
Heavy rains also lashed mid and lower areas of Himachal
Pradesh that led to fall in temperature. However the upper
areas were comparatively warmer.
Picturesque Shimla recorded 12 mm of rains as the maximum
plunged to 19 degrees. The state capital, however, remained
engulfed in thick fog that considerably reduced visibility,
hampering vehicular flow.
PTI
