The commercial capital of India, Mumbai is witnessing unforeseen deficit of Monsoon rain this June. According to the latest weather update by Skymet Meteorology Division in India, the average rain for Mumbai during June is 500 mm and the city has just observed 87 mm of rain till now. Skymet says that this could be the driest June in Mumbai in last ten years as it is not expected to reach the figure of 216 mm, the minimum Monsoon rain experienced in 2009.
Normally, Monsoon reaches on the 10th of June in Mumbai and fair amounts of rain in excess of 50 mm occurs on some of the days but this year, after reaching the city more than a week after the scheduled onset date of 10th June, Monsoon has left the city high and dry as there has not be such spells till now.
There have been variations in amounts of Monsoon rain in Mumbai in the past few years. More than 1000 mm of rain was received last year in Mumbai during June while 300 mm was received in 2012 and 660 mm in 2011. But the scarcity this year is really alarming for the city.
The subdued Monsoon rain could also be understood from the temperature trend in Mumbai during the month. Mumbai has never witnessed day temperatures consistently settling in the higher thirties but this year from 9th to 11th June, maximum temperatures were seen settling between 37 and 38°C. On 11th June, Mumbai experienced the hottest day of the month, with maximum recording 38°C. Prior to this, the record for the highest maximum temperature was 37.1°C observed on 15th June, 1995.
Similarly minimum temperatures in Mumbai have also been above normal during June. According to the latest weather update, minimums in Mumbai during this time of the year should remain around 26°C but they are still hovering close to 29°C which clearly shows that rain has been subdued in Mumbai this year.
Monsoon Outlook for Mumbai for next four days
We are already in the last week of June but Monsoon currents are yet to pick up in the city. And according to our forecast Monsoon rain will remain subdued in spite of a Monsoon air mass hovering over the city. These Monsoon clouds will certainly help in containing the maximum temperatures.
Photograph by Leoboudv
