Why is Telangana still waiting for monsoon rain despite showers in neighbouring States?
Nearly halfway through July, Telangana is still waiting for the southwest monsoon to deliver big. While neighbouring States such as Maharashtra and Karnataka have witnessed
Nearly halfway through July, Telangana is still waiting for the southwest monsoon to deliver big. While neighbouring States such as Maharashtra and Karnataka have witnessed torrential rain over the past few weeks, much of Telangana has remained unusually dry, prompting questions over why the monsoon appears to have bypassed the State. According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the answer lies in Telangana turning into a ‘rain shadow region’ under the current weather pattern. “Telangana has become like a rain shadow region. Some places in neighbouring States such as Maharashtra and Karnataka have received 60 cm to 80 cm of rainfall, whereas Telangana received only around 6 cm to 7 cm during the same period. Such spatial disparities are a characteristic feature of the southwest monsoon,” said Srinivas G.N.R.S., Senior Meteorologist at IMD Centre, Hyderabad.
Weather systems capable of triggering precipitation a key He explained that the arrival of the monsoon alone does not guarantee rainfall. Although the monsoon winds continue to flow across Telangana, widespread rain depends on the formation of weather systems capable of triggering precipitation. “During the monsoon season, rainfall requires a trigger mechanism such as a low-pressure area, an upper air cyclonic circulation or another synoptic weather system, particularly over the Bay of Bengal. At present, no such disturbance has formed. In the absence of these systems, Telangana is not receiving significant rainfall,” he said. Rising temperatures The prolonged dry spell has also resulted in rising daytime temperatures. Reduced cloud cover has allowed maximum temperatures to climb to around 38℃ in some parts of the State, nearly 6℃ above normal.
The discomfort has been compounded by high atmospheric moisture, a typical feature of the monsoon season. “When humidity remains high, even a temperature of around 35 degrees Celsius can feel well above 40℃. That is why people are experiencing oppressive hot and humid conditions despite it being the monsoon season,” Mr. Srinivas explained. The IMD has forecast hot and humid weather in multiple Telangana districts on July 15. According to IMDs latest bulletin, hot and humid weather conditions are very likely to prevail at isolated pockets in Bhadradri Kothagudem, Khammam, Nalgonda, Suryapet, Mahabubnagar and Nagarkurnool districts. El Nino expected to strengthen Looking beyond the current spell, Mr. Srinivas said international climate monitoring agencies continue to indicate that El Nino conditions are expected to strengthen during the remainder of the southwest monsoon season and later in the year.
The BriefWire