Temporary break in southwest monsoon activity in Vidarbha had raised maximum temperature in all 11 districts which is causing discomfort for everyone. The Weather Department predicted a lull in the southwest monsoon due to a temporary weakening of the system over Central India. The dry spell will continue till July 17 while isolated light showers or thunderstorms may occur, widespread rain is unlikely. Due to lack of rains in the region, maximum temperatures are hovering between 32 and 34 degrees Celsius. However, monsoon conditions are forecast to revive from July 18 in the region.

 

The revival in monsoon activity, likely to bring a fresh spell of rain to Nagpur and surrounding districts as well, which should help mitigate the remaining rainfall deficits. Although skies are expected to remain partly cloudy to cloudy, lack of significant rainfall coupled with moisture in the atmosphere could lead to sultry conditions, especially during the daytime. Day temperature in Nagpur and neighbouring districts are likely to increase by 2-4 degrees for next few more days. This marks a noticeable rise from cooler temperatures recorded during the recent spell of active monsoon conditions. Weather experts have attributed the reduction in rainfall to a temporary weakening of monsoon systems influencing Central India.

 

Meteorologists said such intermittent breaks are a regular feature of southwest monsoon and are generally followed by renewed rainfall activity. Current dry spell is expected to be short, with monsoon conditions likely to regain strength later this week. Due to break in monsoon rains, rainfall deficit has also increased as Gadchiroli is going through the highest deficit by -53 per cent in Vidarbha till July 13. Bhandara is the second most affected district in Vidarbha with -41 per cent rainfall deficit followed by Washim (-35 per cent), Chandrapur (-34 per cent), Amravati (-24 per cent), Nagpur (-21 per cent), Akola (-21 per cent), Yavatmal (-19 per cent), Wardha (-13 per cent), and Buldhana (-8 per cent). Overall, Vidarbha received 218.9 mm of actual rainfall against 299 mm of normal rains till July 13.