JOIN US Normally, October is said to be the second wettest month of the year for Bengaluru, after September, but this year it does not look like that, at all, courtesy a delayed Northeast monsoon and a flurry of typhoons in Pacific Ocean.
This October, the City has been experiencing dry and hot spells almost everyday. The maximum temperature in the City is hovering around 31- 32 degree Celsius, against the normal of 29 degree Celsius.
The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) officials attributed this to the delayed onset of Northeast monsoon. It is likely to continue till October 28, 2015.
Speaking to Deccan Herald, IMD Bengaluru Director Geeta Agnihotri said, “October is considered to be the second wettest month of the year. The normal date for onset of Northeast monsoon is October 20, but the forecast is that Northeast monsoon is likely to hit Tamil Nadu coast on October 28.
The delay is because the northerly winds are at lower levels and there are no northwesterly winds. Also a flurry of typhoons in Pacific Ocean has trapped all the moisture there and the easterly waves are being seen at the lower latitudes.
So, the City will experience dry and hot spells till October 28, or even till first week of November. The delay will also effect the winter pattern.”
She added that this was not an unusual phenomenon and has happened in the past too. She also pointed out that if there are insufficient system formations after the onset of Northeast monsoon, rainfall will be deficit.
The City, so far, has received 41 mm rainfall since October 1, and has been experiencing a deficit of 103 mm.
Dr H S Shivaramu, Professor and Head of All India Coordinated Research Project on Agrometeorology, University of Agricultural Sciences, said, There has been a three-week gap after withdrawal of Southwest monsoon and the onset of Northeast monsoon.
This is not only affecting farmers and crop patterns, but also Bengalureans who are experiencing dry and hot spells. Since 1990, the gap between the two monsoon patterns has been prevailing and over the years it has been getting wider. It is because of global warming and increasing concretisation.
He pointed out that overall rainfall has been normal, but distribution has been poor. From April to June rainfall was above normal, during July-August it was deficit, in September rainfall was normal and in October it has been below normal, he explained.