Monsoon catches a second wind

Meteorogical department predicts delayed retreat

India’s monsoon has gathered pace in September and seasonal rains are likely to be robust throughout the month, the chief of the state-run weather office said yesterday, reducing the water deficit after a patchy spell in July and August.

Plentiful rains are expected to lash most parts until the monsoon starts withdrawing after September 30, a later date than usual, Mrutyunjay Mohapatra, director general of the IMD said.

“Due to low-pressure areas and cyclonic circulations at regular intervals, we will not see climatic conditions suitable for the monsoon’s withdrawal before September 30,” he said.

After hitting Kerala on June 3, the monsoon had spread to two-thirds of India by midJune, almost 15 days earlier than expected before tapering off. Rains in June were 10 per cent above average but 7 per cent below average in July and 24 per cent below average in August. So far in September, monsoon rains are 29 per cent above average, the IMD data showed.