Lagatar24 Desk
New Delhi: The southwest monsoon has slowed down significantly across India, with satellite imagery on Monday, June 15, showing monsoon clouds missing from large parts of the country, according to the India Meteorological Department.
64% Rainfall Deficit Recorded
The IMD stated that the country should have received normal rainfall of 53.7 mm between June 4 and 15, but actual rainfall stood at just 19.2 mm, marking a 64 percent deficit during this period.
16 States Awaiting Monsoon Rains
According to the weather department, 16 states across the country are now awaiting the arrival of monsoon rains, including Chhattisgarh, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, and Delhi. After advancing through southern India, the monsoon has stalled around Maharashtra, Telangana, and Andhra Pradesh, while after covering the northeastern states, it has also come to a halt over Bihar, Jharkhand, and West Bengal.
Unusual Wind Patterns Behind the Slowdown
The IMD clarified that the weakening of the monsoon is not due to a lack of moisture over the sea, but rather an unusual pattern in upper atmospheric winds. According to the department, the westerly jet stream has shifted further south than normal, affecting the winds that typically drive the monsoon’s progress.
Sufficient Moisture but No Cloud Formation
Despite adequate moisture levels in the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal, clouds are not forming, which is causing the monsoon’s advance to stall. However, the monsoon is expected to resume its progress over the next few days.
