The monsoon has remained inactive after knocking the doors of the region in the first week of July. By its late arrival and sluggish nature, the south-west monsoon has caused more than 30 percent rainfall deficit across the region so far. The monsoon had reached the region on July 1 and 2, and has been inactive across the region since then.
According to the Chandigarh Meteorological Department, the monsoon rainfall in union territory of Chandigarh remained deficient by 33 percent till now. During this monsoon, the city has received 115.5 mm rains till date.The monsoon rainfall also plays truant in the neighboring states of Punjab and Haryana. In Haryana, the monsoon rainfall remained deficient by 37 percent while in Punjab, a monsoon rainfall deficit of 43 percent was recorded.
“The two states of Punjab and Haryana and their joint capital—Chandigarh—is witnessing rainfall deficit during the ongoing monsoon season. After its arrival, the southwest monsoon has remained inactive and the conditions are likely to remain same in the next one week,” said Surender Pal, Director, Chandigarh Meteorological Department while talking to The Pioneer.
He said, “The monsoon will remain dormant in Punjab and Haryana in the ongoing week with temperature levels also expected to rise. The monsoon is likely to revive after July 13 across the region and subsequently, good rainfall activity would be witnessed for a week or more.”
Pal further said, “During the monsoon season generally starting from June, the city receives 173.4 mm rains by now but this year, a deficiency of around 33 percent has been observed. “The month of June this year has remained dry.”“We expect that after one week, the monsoon would be active and rainfall intensity will increase,” he added.
The Met Department has also predicted that the monsoon rainfall will be less than normal this year.last year, the monsoon had arrived in the region on June 16, while in the year 2012, the monsoon reached here on July 6.
In the year 2013, Chandigarh had received 825 mm rains against normal rains of 788, with 37 mm surplus monsoon rainfall. The neighboring state of Punjab received 468.4 mm rains against normal of 457.7 mm with 2 percent surplus downpour. Haryana had witnessed rain deficit of 27 percent recording 320.4 mm rains against normal rains of 438.3 mm in 2013.