Monsoon withdrawal delayed: IMD

While the onset of the monsoon this year was early and rains had covered the entire country before the normal date, the withdrawal has been delayed.

While the onset of the monsoon this year was early and rains had covered the entire country before the normal date, the withdrawal has been delayed. Normally, the southwest monsoon begins to withdraw from Rajasthan by September 1, but according to the Indian Meteorology Department IMD sources, the withdrawal has been ruled out for at least another four days.

8220;There is a chance that we may be looking at a record delay,8221; said A B Mazumdar, Deputy Director General, Meteorology Weather Forecasting, IMD, Pune. 8220;The record delay so far was in 1964 and 1970 when it withdrew from Rajasthan on September 28. In 1999, the rain withdrew on September 27,8221; he said.

Withdrawal in Rajasthan can be announced only if certain criteria are met. These include cessation of rainfall activity for five days at a stretch, reduction of moisture content in the atmosphere and establishment of anti-cyclonic winds in the lower troposphere, said Mazumdar.

8220;The delay is not unusual and has no serious implications. Last year, the rain withdrew on September 21. There is little chance of withdrawal for the next five days because of the cyclonic circulation over east Rajasthan,8221; said Medha Khole, director, IMD.

There is a well-marked low-pressure area over parts of Orissa and Andhra coasts. This is expected to lead to rainfall in areas including Rajasthan, said Mazumdar. This is the main reason for the delay in withdrawal, he said. The forecast for Rajasthan over the next two days is 8220;isolated and scattered rainfall8221;.

8220;It is not necessary that the rain withdrawal will be delayed all over the country as the withdrawal can take place rapidly,8221; said Mazumdar. After Rajasthan, monsoon withdraws from central India and the west by October 1 and the southwest by October 15.