Rain Deficit Shrinks For Delhi: Light -Moderate Rainfall Till Mid-Week
Delhi and its suburbs recorded sharp and intense showers last evening. Rain and thundershowers were accompanied by strong gusty winds. Light rainfall continued this morning in some parts and is likely to ease as the day progresses. The base station at Safdarjung recorded 16 mm of rainfall in the past 24 hours, with a similar figure observed the day prior. The airport observatory at Palam registered 9 mm of rainfall. Most recording stations in Delhi observed rainfall of less than 20 mm.
A paucity of rains in July had earlier pushed Delhi into the ‘Deficit’ category for the season. The shortfall exceeded the 20% mark for most parts of the city and overall for the state as well. Courtesy of some decent showers over the last 2–3 days, the deficit margin has decreased and dropped to the ‘Normal’ category. Between 01st June and 13th July, the national capital has recorded a total of 120.6 mm of rainfall against the normal of 134.6 mm, indicating a shortfall of 10%. Delhi has witnessed a highly uneven distribution of rainfall so far this season. North, Northwest, East, and South Delhi continue to remain in the ‘Deficit’ category. Only Southwest Delhi is in excess, with a surplus of 54% rainfall. The rest of the districts are listed in the ‘Normal’ category, with rainfall within ±10% of the average. No further upgradation is likely this week for Delhi.
There are three weather systems currently interacting and controlling the weather activity over Delhi. A Western Disturbance is moving across the northern mountains as an upper-air trough. A cyclonic circulation of the low-pressure area is marked over central parts of East Rajasthan and adjoining Madhya Pradesh. This has dragged the monsoon trough south of its normal position in the lower levels, and the trough currently runs south of Delhi at a fair distance. This position is likely to be maintained today and tomorrow. Rainfall activity will remain light and patchy during this period. With the northwestward movement of the low pressure, the trough will shift northward and pass very close to Delhi on the 16th and 17th of July. The intensity and spread of the showers will, therefore, increase on these two days. As the low pressure gets diffused over Northwest Rajasthan, the trough will shift north of Delhi on the 19th and 20th of July. Weather activity is likely to be minimal on these two days.
