Currently monsoon rains have remained unabated through the last four months without any ‘break’. The seasonal rains normally withdraw from delhi and adjoining states of Punjab, haryana by september 25, and uttarakhand by september 28. However, this time the region has been hit by fresh spell of rain even as the four-month season draws to a close. Many places in uttarakhand and himachal pradesh have witnessed increased rain, and snowfall over the last two days, with Dhaulakuan (HP) recording extremely heavy rain of nearly 275 mm, while Haripur (Uttarakhand) saw 244 mm rainfall on Wednesday, decreasing in intensity thereafter.
Perhaps MeT’s latest forecast has warned of widespread rains to continue in himachal pradesh and uttarakhand over the next two days. The rain has also picked up pace over haryana and parts of Western Uttar Pradesh. This is worrying, as the farmers in the region are preparing to harvest their crops, which are likely to be damaged by the sudden rains. Monsoon has been taking longer-than-usual to withdraw from Northwest india over the years a long-term trend confirmed by scientists. This year too, the india Meteorological Department (IMD) had indicated a delayed withdrawal, as it predicted excess rains in its monthly outlook for september on account of consecutive low-pressure systems forming in the Bay Of Bengal.
Meanwhile, widespread rains continue across Konkan-Goa and Madhya Pradesh. The monsoon usually withdraws from mumbai by october 8, so there is still time for the seasonal rains to subside over the region.