Monsoon Advances Across Northern India
The Southwest Monsoon has advanced across most of northern India, covering nearly all of Punjab and Haryana, with only small western parts remaining. According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD) bulletin issued on July 3, the northern limit of the monsoon now passes over Jamnagar, Udaipur, Ajmer, Jhunjhunu, Hisar, and Bathinda.
Widespread to fairly widespread rainfall, along with thunderstorms, lightning, and gusty winds, is expected over Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, and Delhi until July 8, with isolated rainfall on July 9. The IMD has issued a yellow alert for these areas.
Surplus Rainfall in Last Three Days
Punjab and Haryana have received above-normal rainfall over the past three days. Since the monsoon hit the eastern parts of these states on July 1, rainfall has been 89% above the long period average (LPA) in Punjab and 17% above in Haryana. However, seasonal rains from June 1 to July 3 remain deficient by 21% in Punjab and 35% in Haryana, according to IMD data.
In July so far, Punjab has recorded 23 mm of rain against the LPA of 12.2 mm. Monsoon has been above the LPA in 11 districts of Punjab and below in 10, while Fazilka has received no rain this month. The wettest districts are Faridkot (80.2 mm), Ludhiana (49.5 mm), and Moga (43.8 mm).
Haryana has received 11.9 mm of rain this month against the LPA of 10.1 mm, with monsoon above the LPA in 11 districts and below in 10. Sirsa has remained dry. The wettest districts in the last three days are Yanunanagar (23.6 mm), Ambala (17.7 mm), and Panchkula (16.5 mm).
Forecast for Neighbouring States
The IMD has also predicted fairly widespread to widespread rains, accompanied by thunderstorms, lightning, and strong winds, over Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttarakhand until July 9. Very heavy rainfall is possible at a few places in these states during this period.
A map released by the IMD on Friday shows that only parts of Fazilka and Muktsar districts in Punjab and Sirsa and Fatehabad districts in Haryana remain uncovered. Conditions are favourable for the monsoon to advance further into these remaining areas.
