CHENNAI: In a development that can dampen the Deepavali spirit, the North-East monsoon, from which Tamil Nadu benefits the most, is expected to arrive by October 24-25 just ahead of the festival of lights, say Met officials. The monsoon will be setting in a few days later than its routine date of October 20.“The late retreat of the South-West monsoon has caused a few days’ delay in the setting in of the NE monsoon this year,” said Dr YEA Raj, Deputy Director General-Meteorology, Regional Meteorological Centre, Chennai. This delay need not affect the quantum of rainfall to be received in the period, he assured. The North-East monsoon season, which usually accounts for more than 40 per cent of the annual rainfall that Tamil Nadu receives, lasts till early December in the interior parts of the state and till mid-December in the coastal areas. With the onset of the monsoon, people in the state can look forward to wetter and chill mornings, with the state receiving its rainfall usually between 3 am and 8 am, he said.During the NE monsoon, Tamil Nadu receives 42 cm of its annual quota of over 90 cm of rainfall. From 2004, the state has received either normal or excess rainfall, but not deficit rainfall, according to statistics available with the IMD. In 2010, 27 districts in Tamil Nadu and Pudhucherry had received excessive rainfall compared to usual, and seven districts normal rainfall (+19 to -19 per cent of usual rains). Among these, Karaikal (-5 per cent), Chennai (-13 per cent) and Thiruvallur (-14 per cent) received slightly lesser rainfall than usual but that was still under the permissible limits of variation.Meanwhile, the South-West monsoon, during which the state usually receives 32 cm of rainfall between June and September, came as a disappointment this year recording more than a 10 per cent deficit. According to India Meteorological Department information, TN and Pondy have together realised nearly 40 cm of rainfall, as against the usual 52 cm.
Comments
0 comment