M A I N   N E W S

Ray of hope: Nature’s fury may abate in 48 hrs
Vibha Sharma/TNS

New Delhi, June 17
The ongoing nature's fury across the North, especially in the hilly terrains of Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand, is the result of an unprecedented fast moving monsoon circulation coupled with upper air westerlies. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted a decrease in the rainfall activity in the region in the next 48 hours with focus shifting to the East and the North-East.

According to IMD Director-General LS Rathore, there will be a lull in the rainfall activity in the northwest region between June 20 and 24.

Early monsoon, which brought cheers to farmers and people, leading to early sowing of summer crops in drought-hit regions and slump in the power demand across the country, covered the entire country at least a month ahead of its schedule this year.

Though its run has been spectacular so far, some independent experts fear the country's lifeline may lose steam somewhere around July—the most crucial month for sowing of kharif crops.

Responding to the growing speculation about a possible long break in the monsoon activity in July, Rathore said: "A break is a part of the monsoon. But I do not subscribe to this theory that there will definitely be a break (in monsoon) due to early arrival."

The conditions remained favourable for "normal monsoon" this season, as forecast by the IMD, he maintained. "So far as rainfall in a particular region is concerned, we can provide predictions for the next seven-eight days. Beyond that, it will be too early to say anything," he added.

The monsoon usually travels in stages. After a system covers central India, there is usually a lull in the activity after which another system takes it forward to north and northwest India in two to three weeks. However this time, a single system moved rapidly right up to the northwest and covered the entire country one month in advance.

The Forecast

* Heavy to very heavy rainfall at a few places in Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Gujarat areas in the next 48 hours

* Heavy rainfall at one or two places in Punjab, Haryana, west Uttar Pradesh, Saurashtra and Kutch, Kerala, coastal Karnataka and Andaman Nicobar Islands

* Rain and thundershowers at some places in western, eastern and northeastern areas and a few places in the central and interior south peninsular region