IMD: MONSOON WITHDRAWAL MAY BEGIN BY SEPTEMBER 25
PUNE: The withdrawal of the south-west monsoon from the North of India may begin only after September 25 as rainfall predictions in Punjab,haryana and some parts of the Rajasthan, between September 20 and 22, are likely to delay its retreat, according to the India meteorological department (IMD).
According to AK Srivastava, head, climate monitoring and analysis group, IMD Pune, signs of weakening of monsoon are showing as there is reduced rainfall over north-western states. However “complete withdrawal” of monsoon can begin only after September 25, said Srivastava.
“Rainfall pattern is subdued all over India specifically in north and west. There will be rainfall in Punjab,haryana and some parts of the Rajasthan between September 20 and 22, following which conditions will start developing for the monsoon’s withdrawal. By September 25 we can see complete withdrawal of monsoon from India,” said Srivastava.
According to the met office, a western disturbance may be responsible for rainfall activity over north India in between September 20 to 22, which could delay monsoon’s withdrawal.
A low pressure area is likely to develop over North-west Bay of Bengal around September 18, which will bring rainfall over Odisha, Chhattisgarh. MUMBAI: Major mandals which attract lakhs of devotees, develop themes, short films and artistic representations of social issues every year. This year, taking note of the adverse effects of pollution generated due to plastic as well as of the plastic ban implemented by the state on March 23, several Ganpati mandals have asked devotees to avoid the use of plastic products and adopt eco-friendly alternatives.
The Shivadi Madhya Vibhag Sarvjanik Ganeshotsav Mandal has collected more than 10,000 cotton bags to distribute among devotees . Vijay Indulkar, a mandal member, said, “We built an installation of a plastic demon that tells citizens about how they are responsible in creating it. The demon reminds citizens how they cannot bury plastic, discard it in sea or send it to the dumping ground, as all these activities will pose a threat to the environment.”
The mandal had also presented a short film on plastic menace and the importance of recycling.
Two of the most famous mandals in the city– Lalbaugcha Raja Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav Mandal
and Goud Saraswat Brahmin Seva Mandal at King’s Circle – decided to not let devotees carry any form of plastic inside the pandals.
“The intent is to keep the pandal premises plastic-free and ensure devotees practice the same at home,” said Satish Nayak, trustee, GSB Seva Mandal. Balasaheb Kamble, president, Lalbaugcha Raja Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav Mandal, said the entire pandal premises was decorated using papier mache . “We avoided use of plastic or thermocol. Our intent is to have a plasticfree state, which we have highlighted in our – Save the environment,” he said.
Irked by the recurring death of marine mammals, the Yuvak Utkarsha Mandal, Malad (West) based its theme and installations on the issue of plastic discharged directly into the sea and drains.
“Dolphins, whales and even small fish have been ingesting plastic and microplastic. We must promise Bappa that we will discard plastic to protect our marine life,” said Manoj Shivaji Sagar, the mandals’s president.
The mandal is also recycling used plastic bags. Sagar said, “We are giving one sapling in return to devotees who hand us over their plastic bags.”
Household Ganeshotsav celebrations have also focussed on plastic pollution. Dombivli residents Prakash and Pratik Jadhav have decided to give devotees newspaper bags to spread awareness on eco-friendly alternatives. “We have asked our friends and relatives to tell at least one person about the harmful effects of plastic,” said Pratik.