MONSOON MAY REACH HYD BY JUNE 8

The rainfall that brought down temperatures in the state over the past three days is not because of the monsoon, which is still steadily progressing towards the state. Hyderabad recorded 30ºC on Saturday, 10ºC less over the last week.

The rain is the outcome of thunderstorm activity prevailing over the state due to a trough running between Maharashtra and north Tamil Nadu.

Going by its progress, the monsoon may reach the state by Tuesday and cover the state including Hyderabad by June 8. The conditions are favourable for the monsoon to reach interior parts of Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana state on June 5.

IMD-Hyderabad director Y.K. Reddy said the monsoons would first enter Rayalaseema by June 5 and progress towards south coastal Andhra Pradesh and south Telangana state. It is likely to cover both the states between June 8 and 12.

The current rainfall is due to thunderstorms, a regular feature before the onset of the monsoon. This is likely to prevail till June 4, and the IMD has put out a caution for thunderstorm and gusts of winds on Sunday and Monday.

Dr Reddy said the heavy clouding in the past few days was the result of hot air mixing with humidity from the Bay of Bengal. “The state is going through a transitional period and thunderstorms before the onset of monsoon is a common feature. This phase separates the summer from the monsoon,” he said.