The India Meteorological Department (IMD)’s latest data shows Central Delhi has recorded just 8.5 mm rainfall this monsoon season so far and is the second-most rain-deficient district in the country. The rain deficit in Kistwar district of Jammu & Kashmir is the largest in the country. It has recorded 5 mm precipitation against the normal of 68.4 mm— a shortfall of 93 per cent.
Meanwhile weak monsoon conditions are expected to continue over most parts of the country until first week of July. This break monsoon will adversely impact the agriculture. This will also bring hot and humid weather conditions in north and northwest India.
According to the IMD, Central Delhi has received only 8.5 mm rainfall against the normal of 53.3 mm since June 1— a deficiency of 84 per cent. In the national capital, East Delhi has received 19.2mm rainfall against the normal of 53.3mm – a dearth of 64 per cent. Northeast Delhi has gauged 20.7mm rainfall, which is 61 per cent below normal, and South Delhi got 22.2 mm – 58 per cent less than normal. Southwest Delhi and New Delhi have recorded 29.6 mm and 27.7 mm rainfall so far -- 50 per cent below their respective normal rainfall. North Delhi has received 37.7 mm rainfall – 33 per cent less than normal – and Northwest Delhi 29.8 mm rainfall – 22 per cent below the average precipitation. Only West Delhi has received normal rainfall so far – 53.5mm against the average of 52.9mm.
June 1 to September 30 is officially considered the monsoon season in India. The IMD on Monday said Delhi and nearby areas in northwest India will have to wait for another week for their first monsoonal showers.
"Prevailing meteorological conditions, large scale atmospheric features and the forecast wind pattern by dynamical models suggest that no favourable conditions are likely to develop for further advance of southwest monsoon into remaining parts of Rajasthan, west Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Chandigarh and Delhi and Punjab during the next six to seven days," the IMD said in a statement.
The weak monsoon is expected to impact kharif sowing season. According to a private weather forecaster Skymet, break monsoon conditions are expected from June 29.
Break monsoon is declared when monsoon trough shifts to foothills of Himalayas. Humid easterly winds are replaced by dry westerly winds over Indo-Gangetic Plains and Central parts of the country. Weather become almost dry over most parts of the country. Except northeast India. West Coast of the country also witness significant reduction in rain. Sometimes rainfall increases over Tamil Nadu and adjoining areas.