Among kids Rains finally retreat, 13 days behind schedule

Infants, teens with liver complications, low platelet count being hospitalised

MUMBAI: After stalling at Dahanu and northern Maharashtra for a few days, the south-west monsoon has finally withdrawn from Mumbai. It now is passing over Ahmednagar, Satara and Vengurla in the state, weathermen said.

Usually, October 1 is when the south-west monsoon withdraws from the city. This time the withdrawal has been 13 days later than normal, but five days earlier than last year, when it withdrew on October 19. According to weather officials, the conditions were not favourable for withdrawal as parts of northern Maharashtra were still getting rainfall.

“The delay in withdrawal was not related to Cyclone Hudhud, unlike like last year when Cyclone Phailin had caused a late monsoon flourish. Weather conditions were largely unfavourable for the withdrawal to accelerate,” said VK Rajeev, director, India Meteorological Department (IMD), western region.

This year, the monsoon had arrived five days late on June 15, and the month was the second driest since 1959, with Santacruz recording only 87.3mm. But, the monsoon picked up pace in July and replenished the lakes that provide water to the city.

July saw maximum rainfall of all time, recording 1,545.4mm while Colaba recorded 1,402mm of rainfall. Till the official end of the monsoon on September 30 Santacruz had recorded 2,300mm rainfall —97.8% of the annual normal — while Colaba received 2,130mm rainfall — that was 98.8% of the annual normal of 2,160mm.

But high temperatures and local moisture levels may cause thundershowers in the city. “If local factors are conducive, there are still chances of thundershow ers,” said Rajeev. Mumbaiites facing sweltering October heat have got some relief in the past two days, with temperatures going back to normal.

On Tuesday, the maximum tem perature at Colaba was 33 degrees Celsius, while at Santacruz it was 32.8 degrees Celsius. The minimum at Santacruz was 25.7 degrees, and at Colaba it was 23.4 degree Celsius.