The heavy rains lashing parts of central, southwest and northern India is likely to continue to for some days as the withdrawal of southwest monsoon from the country has been delayed by almost 15 days.
The India meteorological department (IMD) in its latest weather forecast said, normally, the southwest monsoon starts withdrawing from western parts of Rajasthan around September 1.
“However, in view of north-south oscillation of monsoon trough and continuation easterly flow over northwest India, the withdrawal of monsoon is not expected to commence till middle of September,” the IMD said.
The met office said widespread rainfall activity is expected over Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Chandigarh and Delhi during the first half of this week.
While rainfall activity would increase in Maharashtra, Gujarat and Rajasthan from September 6 onwards. Widespread rainfall is also expected over north-eastern parts of the country, which till now received scattered rains, the IMD said.
Till now, between June 1 to September 1, India has received rains equivalent to 99% of long period average (LPA) as against the normal showers of 102% of LPA, which makes it mere 2 below normal and well within permissible limits.
Southern India has led the way with rains totalling 119% of LPA, as against a normal of 102% of LPA during the June 1 to September 1 period.
Northwest India comprising of major foodgrains growing states of Punjab, Haryana and western Uttar Pradesh has received rainfalls of around 105% of LPA as against a normal of 102% of LPA.
Rains in central India too have been well above normal till now.
However, the problematic area still remains north-eastern parts of country comprising of major paddy (de-husked rice) growing states of West Bengal, Bihar, Jharkhand and Orissa. Here rainfall between June 1 to September 1 has been around 79% of LPA which is well below normal rains of 103% of LPA. .
Heavy rains lashed the national capital on Sunday morning, bringing down the temperature and causing the usual flooding of city streets.
The national capital received 36.4 mm of rains from Saturday morning till 8.30 am on Sunday. The downpour is likely to continue through the day, an official of the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said.
The official said the sky would remain cloudy and rains or thundershowers are expected.
"There may be one or two spells of heavy rains in some areas," he said.
The showers led to waterlogging in several areas, slowing down traffic movement. Traffic movement was slow at Badarpur-MB Road, Kashmiri Gate Metro Station, Azadpur-Sarai Pipalthala, New Rohtak Road-Anand Parbat, under the Modi flyover, Mathura Road-Bharon Road and Qutub Metro Station among others, the traffic police said.
The minimum temperature settled at 24.5 degrees Celsius, a notch below the average for this time of the season.
The Met office said the maximum is likely to hover around 31.3 degrees Celsius, three notches below normal. The city has so far recorded 7,816 mm of rains this season, 41 percent above the average.
Uttar Pradesh
So far 20 persons have died of rain and flood-related incidents in Gonda, Bahraich, Lakhmipur Khiri and Barabanki. Flood alert has been issued in Agra as the Yamuna threatened to cross the danger level.
Efforts are on to protect the famous Taj Mahal from the onslaught of Yamuna flood. The river Ghaghra was flowing 50 cm above danger level in Gonda.
Nearly 1.5 lakh people in Gonda have been rendered homeless as flood water has entere more than 100 villages. Flood in Ghaghra has wrought havoc in Bahraich and Barabanki districts also.
Punjab
Flood in river Sutlej has caused inundation of more than 12 villages in Anandpur Sahib of Ropar subdivision.
With rains in adjoining districts of Himachal Pradesh abating, there is possibility of a decline in river water flow, say Himachal Pradesh government officials.
Assam
Nearly 30,000 people have been rendered homeless as the mighty river Brahmaputra flooded its banks in Lakhimpur, Assam. Large parts of the Kaziranga wildlife sanctuary have been flooded.
