North India will experience some relief from the heat in May, with some parts of the country seeing excess rainfall and others experiencing a deficit. The IMD said the monsoon will arrive between May 14 and 16 ...read more

The month of May is bringing both relief and challenges to the country's weather. Some regions may experience extreme heat, while others may experience heavy rainfall. Temperatures may remain below normal in many parts of northwest and northern India, providing significant relief from the scorching heat.

Rainfall patterns in eastern India may be uneven, leading to excess rainfall in some areas and deficits in others. El Niño will impact monsoon rainfall, leading to below-normal rainfall already predicted.

When will the monsoon start?

Signs of the onset of the monsoon are also clear. According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the southwest monsoon is expected to reach the Andaman and Nicobar Islands between May 14 and 16. This is around the normal date, which strengthens the likelihood of the monsoon advancing on time.

Dr. Mrityunjay Mahapatra, Director General of the India Meteorological Department (IMD), held a press conference on Friday to provide detailed forecasts for May's temperature, rainfall, and monsoon conditions. He stated that the average rainfall across the country in May is expected to be above normal. Northwest India and the Himalayan foothills may see above-normal rainfall in the first fortnight.

Where will the temperature rise?

This will moderate temperatures in many areas, from Jammu and Kashmir to Haryana, Punjab, Delhi, Madhya Pradesh, and Uttar Pradesh, and may limit the impact of the heat wave. However, there are indications of temperatures rising in the last week of the month, which could temporarily intensify the heat. The forecast also states that temperatures will vary across different regions.

Maximum temperatures in northern and northwestern states are likely to remain normal or below normal, while minimum temperatures may remain above normal in many parts of the country. Consequently, heat may persist even at night, preventing complete relief for residents. The situation may be adverse in eastern India and parts of the Northeast, where rainfall is expected to be below normal.

This situation could pose challenges for agriculture and water management. However, sudden heavy rainfall events are also possible in some areas, raising the risk of flood-like conditions.

What did IMD say?

The IMD estimates that the number of heatwave days may be higher than normal in the Himalayan foothills, eastern coastal states, Gujarat, and Maharashtra. Three to four days of intense heatwave activity is expected in Gujarat, particularly the Saurashtra region.

Oceanic factors play a major role in this mixed weather pattern. Neutral conditions are currently prevailing in the Pacific Ocean, which is gradually shifting towards an El Niño phenomenon, which is likely to develop during the monsoon season. El Niño typically affects rainfall patterns in India and weakens the monsoon.

 PC:Jagran