After heavy rains, IMD predicts colder winter in Maharashtra this year

This year Maharashtra witnessed excess rainfall from Southwest Monsoon 2024 during the period between June 2024 to September 2024. IMD has predicted that there is a possibility of above normal rainfall even in October with rain and cold winds around Diwali.

The IMD has also predicted October heat this year. IMD Director General Dr. Mrutyunjay Mohapatra, during a press briefing, said that global temperatures have been rising in the recent years. He said if the ‘La Niña’ system in the Pacific Ocean becomes active, it could bring harsher and colder winter across the country. He said that a more accurate assessment can only be made in November first week. It is noteworthy that El Niño was active during the last year that caused a rain deficit and started wanning this year with its effects still being felt as late as September 2024.

Mohapatra further added that typically the country receives an average rainfall of 75.4 mm in October, but this year, the country could receive 15 percent more rainfall in October. North Konkan, South Madhya Maharashtra, and East Vidarbha, along with Mumbai, are likely to receive above-average rainfall this month.

The withdrawal of the monsoon commenced on 23rd September but made slow retreat in between due to a low pressure system in Bay of Bengal. As of 2nd October, the monsoon had completely retreated from Leh, Ladakh, Jammu and Kashmir, Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, Himachal Pradesh, and parts of Rajasthan. The line of withdrawal of Southwest Monsoon continues to pass through Lakhimpur Kheri, Shivpuri, Kota, Udaipur, Deesa, Surendranagar, Junagarh. Conditions are favourable for further withdrawal of Southwest Monsoon from remaining parts of West Uttar Pradesh, some more parts Madhya Pradesh, remaining parts of East Rajasthan, some more parts of Gujarat and some parts of Maharashtra during next 2-3 days, mentioned an IMD press release.

In Pune and Mumbai, the weathermen expect the monsoon rains to stop from 10th October. Meanwhile, due to the absence of rains and cloud cover, combined with high humidity levels, the residents of these two cities are facing sweltering heat.