monsoon-enters-weak-phase-as-pacific-storm-disrupts-rainfall

The southwest monsoon has entered a temporary weak phase, leaving nearly 70-80 per cent of India with little or no cloud cover just days after it completed its advance across the country, according to satellite imagery and weather forecasts.

 

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) said the subdued rainfall activity is linked to a powerful tropical cyclone over the western Pacific Ocean, which is drawing moisture and atmospheric circulation away from the Indian subcontinent.

 

The cyclone has weakened the monsoon trough, a low-pressure belt that drives widespread rainfall across India, resulting in a sharp decline in precipitation over large parts of central, western and peninsular India.

 

The IMD has forecast below-normal rainfall over several regions in the coming days, with widespread showers expected to resume only after atmospheric conditions become favourable.

Also read: Monsoon to pause; dry spell likely across many states

The monsoon covered the entire country on July 9, just a day behind its normal schedule. However, the season has remained uneven. India ended June with a rainfall deficit of nearly 40 per cent, one of the weakest starts in recent years, before heavy showers during late June and early July reduced the nationwide shortfall to around 14 per cent.

 

Despite the improvement, rainfall distribution has remained highly uneven. While western and eastern parts of the country received significant rainfall, several central Indian states continue to record substantial deficits.

 

Meteorologists are also closely monitoring the development of El Niño conditions over the equatorial Pacific, which can weaken the Indian monsoon by altering global atmospheric circulation.

 

The IMD expects July rainfall to remain below the long-period average, with total monthly precipitation likely to stay below 94 per cent of normal. Many regions are also likely to experience above-normal daytime temperatures until the next active monsoon spell develops.

 

Experts stressed that the monsoon has not disappeared but has temporarily weakened due to large-scale atmospheric changes. Its revival will depend on the weakening of Pacific weather systems and the restoration of normal monsoon circulation over the Indian subcontinent.