Nagpur: Vidarbha is grappling with a significant rainfall deficit in June as the southwest monsoon remains stalled south of the region, raising concerns for the ongoing Kharif season. Data till mid-June shows Vidarbha has received only 18.2mm rainfall against the normal 63.2mm, recording an overall deficiency of 71%.
District-Wise Deficits
Most districts are witnessing large deficits. Buldhana and Gondia have recorded steepest shortfalls at 89% below normal, followed by Gadchiroli (86%), Washim (85%), Yavatmal (73%), Wardha (68%), Amravati (67%) and Bhandara (60%). Nagpur district has received 29.5mm rainfall against normal 55.2mm, leaving it with a 47% deficiency. Chandrapur, with 36.2mm rainfall, has the lowest deficit in the region at 40%.
Temperature Rise and Heatwave Alert
Prolonged delay in monsoon advancement has also triggered a fresh rise in temperatures across Vidarbha. After a brief spell of pre-monsoon showers earlier this week, dry weather conditions have returned, causing temperatures to rise again. Nagpur recorded a maximum temperature of above 40 degrees Celsius on Tuesday, while Bramhapuri emerged as the hottest location in Vidarbha at 42.8 degrees Celsius. Several other districts also reported temperatures hovering around or above the 40-degree mark. The IMD has maintained a heatwave alert for parts of Vidarbha, including Nagpur, for the next few days.
Weather Experts' Analysis
Weather experts attribute the rising temperatures to the delayed monsoon current and prevailing dry northwesterly winds. Forecasts indicate monsoon conditions may become favourable only after the next four to five days. Until then, residents are likely to endure hot and humid weather, while farmers await widespread rainfall to begin sowing operations in earnest.
El Nino and IOD Effects
The poor monsoon progress and lack of rain have been attributed to the El Nino effect and neutral conditions in the Indian Ocean Dipole. The strengthening of El Nino and neutral IOD are likely to persist during the southwest monsoon season.
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