Home Dehradun Rain, thunderstorms predicted in U’khand from 8 May onwards

Rain, thunderstorms predicted in U’khand from 8 May onwards

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By Arun Pratap Singh

Dehradun, 3 May: Some relief from the unduly rising temperatures in Uttarakhand can be expected only on 8 May onwards. Till then the heat is expected to rise continuously. The Meteorological Centre of the Government of India in Dehradun has predicted a sharp rise in temperatures till 7 May. It has also predicted that weather is expected to change for some days from 8 May onwards.  Rains and thunderstorms have been predicted in the state, particularly in the hill districts, while light rains and showers are expected in the plains.

Director of IMD Centre in Dehradun, Bikram Singh has stated that the rain activity will be witnessed in the Kumaon region from 7 May onwards, while there is a possibility of rain in all parts of the state on 8, 9 and 10 May and thunderstorms on 11, 12 and 13 May.

Bikram Singh said that, for the next 3 to 4 days, there is a possibility of light rain in the upper areas of Uttarkashi, Rudraprayag, Chamoli, Pithoragarh and Bageshwar, while the weather will remain clear in the rest of the state including the lower areas of Uttarakhand. He also added that there is also a possibility of the temperature rising by up to three to four degrees in the hill areas in coming days due to which the temperature in the plains may rise up to 39 degrees C, while in the hills, the temperatures may go up to 29 or 30 Degrees C.

Singh said that there are chances of thunderstorm activity in the state on 11, 12 and 13 May. These rains may help control of the raging forest fires, particularly in the hills from 8 May onwards. He however, added that till 7 May, there is no likelihood of rains and hence the farmers are advised to harvest their wheat and other crops and store them safely in order to avoid any damage to the standing crops due to rain and thunderstorm that may follow after 7 May.  Singh also predicted the possibility of hailstorm and lightning in certain parts of the state 8 May onward. Rains will provide relief from above normal temperatures in the hills.

20 percent less rains recorded in April in U’khand

By Arun Pratap Singh

Dehradun, 3 May: In most parts of Uttarakhand, the month of April is a moderate month with spring like conditions. However, this year, the month of April in Uttarakhand almost felt like May and June with the temperatures rising way above normal in northern India including Uttarakhand. The data of the Meteorological Department tells a story that is quite concerning regarding the changing climate conditions in the state.

As per the records of the Meteorological Department, the rainfall in 13 districts of Uttarakhand during the months of March and April indicates lesser availability of water in most parts of the state. Even in the hills, local people are reporting drying up of natural water resources and springs. One main reason for this is stated to be less rains during the winter and spring months in the hills. According to the available data, in Pithoragarh district, 53 percent less than normal rainfall was recorded in March and April. Nainital too witnessed unduly prolonged dry spell and here, 37 percent less than normal rainfall has been recorded in past two months. 

Rudraprayag district recorded 32 percent less rainfall as compared to the normal average in past two months. In Champawat, the rain deficit has been 28 percent while in Almora, it has been 22 percent during the past two months. Though the situation was better in Uttarkashi, Chamoli and Bageshwar, here too there was significant deficit in the rains as compared to the average rainfall in past two months this year.

On the contrary, it surprisingly rained 56 per more than the normal average in past two months in district Udham Singh Nagar which is almost entirely plains. In Dehradun, on the other hand, rains have been within the normal range in past two months. Whereas, in Haridwar, which is another district in the plains, recorded 26 percent less than normal rainfall during the past two months, which has resulted in some losses to the rain dependent farmers in the district.

The worst deficit in the rains has been witnessed in Kumaon with the exception of district Udham Singh Nagar. The hills in the Kumaon region have suffered most due to lack of rains in March and according to Meteorologist Rohit Thapliyal the overall rain deficit in Uttarakhand in March and April has been 22 percent. He added that, in March, it rained more than in April, which went totally dry in many parts of the state. In the absence of the rains, the challenge before the Forest Department to deal with fires becomes stronger. The data of forest fires in past two months proves this point.

The Forest Department is claiming to be making various efforts to deal with these situations. According to Forest Minister Subodh Uniyal, the department is making every possible effort to prevent forest fires. Efforts are also being made to increase people’s participation. The big thing is that the lack of rain is being recorded more in the Kumaon division area. In this context, major incidents of fire have also been recorded in Kumaon division.