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Delhi Monsoon Surprise: Wet Capital Amidst Regional Drought
17 Sep
Summary
- Delhi received 8% surplus monsoon rain, unlike surrounding dry regions.
- Shifting low-pressure systems and persistent westerly disturbances caused this.
- El Nino and climate change likely influenced the unusual rainfall pattern.
This past monsoon season, Delhi recorded an 8% rainfall surplus, a notable exception to the significant deficits plaguing neighboring regions like Haryana and Punjab. Haryana experienced a 23% shortfall, while northwest India saw a 10% deficit overall.
The capital's unexpected wet spell is attributed to a confluence of factors, including the unusual track of low-pressure systems originating from the Bay of Bengal, likely influenced by El Nino conditions. These systems, typically crucial for rainfall in northwest India, shifted their course northward this season.
Furthermore, persistent westerly disturbances, exacerbated by climate change, played a key role. These disturbances, usually retreating north of the Himalayas by early summer, remained active longer. Their interaction with monsoon systems intensified rainfall over Delhi-NCR.
While these combined systems brought moisture to Delhi and west UP, Haryana and Punjab received considerably less rain. Events like the Bandipora cloudburst and flash floods in Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand also occurred, linked to these intense weather interactions, though their impact on Haryana and Punjab was minimal.
