India is expected to receive below-average rainfall over the next two weeks, particularly across central and northern regions, as weather systems known as western disturbances slow the advance of the annual monsoon, senior weather officials said.
Western disturbances, which originate over the Mediterranean region, typically bring rain and snow to northern India during the winter months. However, they can also disrupt monsoon patterns when they interact with seasonal weather systems.
Officials from the India Meteorological Department said the current slowdown could delay the monsoon's progression into central India, although conditions are expected to improve later in June.
The monsoon season, which delivers around 70% of India's annual rainfall, is critical for agriculture in a country where nearly half of all farmland depends on rainfall rather than irrigation.
Delays in precipitation could affect planting schedules for key summer crops, including rice, cotton, soybeans and pulses.
Central and northern states are expected to receive significantly below-normal rainfall over the next two weeks, while southern regions, including Kerala, Tamil Nadu and parts of Karnataka, are likely to continue experiencing relatively favourable conditions.
Officials noted that the monsoon was already slightly delayed at its onset over Kerala this year, arriving a few days later than usual.
During the first 10 days of June, India recorded rainfall that was around 26.5% below normal, reflecting the early-season slowdown.
However, meteorologists said the monsoon is expected to strengthen towards the end of June, with broader coverage across the country anticipated in early July.
The weather bureau has forecast that India may receive around 90% of its long-period average rainfall during the June-to-September season, with June itself expected to remain slightly below normal.
While analysts said the short-term deficit is unlikely to severely disrupt sowing if July rainfall is strong, they cautioned that the uneven distribution of monsoon rainfall remains a key risk to agricultural output and rural incomes.
U.S. President Donald Trump's threats to make the Strait of Hormuz part of U.S. territory have been mocked by Iran's Deputy Foreign Ministe...
Five years ago today, Taliban fighters entered Kabul, completing a rapid takeover of Afghanistan as the former government collapsed....
For fishermen along Pakistan’s southwestern coast, the consequences of the U.S.-Iran conflict are being felt far from the battlefield....
Hundreds of flights have been cancelled or rerouted at Catania Airport over the past week as ash from Mount Etna’s ongoing eruption continues to disrupt air travel in Sicily.
Wildfires across England and Wales have reached their highest level on record, according to the National Fire Chiefs Council, as firefighters struggle to contain outbreaks following a spell of extreme heat.
The U.S. will impose unprecedented measures on Iran in order to economically isolate the country, U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has said.
U.S. President Donald Trump's threats to make the Strait of Hormuz part of U.S. territory have been mocked by Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister, Kazem Gharibabadi, who said the sea passage "cannot be seized by tweet."
At least 47 people have been killed after a magnitude 7.7 earthquake struck off eastern Indonesia early on Saturday, triggering small tsunami waves and dozens of aftershocks, officials say.
For fishermen along Pakistan’s southwestern coast, the consequences of the U.S.-Iran conflict are being felt far from the battlefield.
Afghanistan’s Foreign Ministry has expressed regret over the death of a 21-year-old pregnant woman killed by gunfire across the border in Tajikistan’s Darvoz district. Dushanbe has issued a formal protest to Kabul over the incident, which it said involved a violation of its airspace.
Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan all reported blackouts on Friday, which Kazakhstan’s Energy Ministry said had been caused by a "sudden change in the power flow" from the Central Asian grid.
The United Nations has urged sustained international engagement with Afghanistan five years into Taliban rule, warning that restrictions on women and terrorism concerns risk undermining gains from improved security.
Iran says the U.S. war and military presence in the region have worsened marine pollution around the Strait of Hormuz, calling for environmental protection to form part of future arrangements governing the strategic waterway.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment