Source : INDIA TODAY NEWS
Even as the southwest monsoon withdraws from India, fresh spells of rain and thunderstorms are sweeping parts of northern India, including Punjab, Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh.
A thermal infrared satellite image captured by INSAT-3DS on October 11 shows extensive cloud formations over the region, as multiple weather systems combine to trigger post-monsoon rainfall.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD), in its October 11 bulletin, warned of isolated heavy rainfall across Punjab, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Haryana, Chandigarh, Delhi and Jammu and Kashmir.
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The department also forecast thunderstorms, gusty winds and isolated hailstorms in parts of northwest India.
The satellite image, captured between 8:30 pm and 8:57 pm IST, shows cloud bands over northern India and the western Himalayan region.
However, the image is a snapshot of cloud activity; rainfall observations and weather forecasts are needed to establish where the rain is falling and how intense it will be.
WHY IS IT RAINING AFTER THE MONSOON?
The rainfall is being driven by a combination of weather systems rather than simply a continuation of the southwest monsoon.
According to the IMD, a Western Disturbance is present as a cyclonic circulation over Himachal Pradesh.
Western Disturbances are weather systems that move eastwards from the west and can bring rain, thunderstorms and hail to northwest India, particularly when they interact with the Himalayan terrain.
The weather agency has also identified a trough extending from northwest Rajasthan towards northeast Madhya Pradesh, along with another trough linking a cyclonic circulation over central Pakistan with north Madhya Pradesh.
These systems can encourage air to rise and form clouds. When sufficient moisture and atmospheric instability are present, they can trigger showers and thunderstorms across Punjab, Haryana, Delhi and the Himalayan states.
The IMD reported that hailstorms occurred at isolated places in Himachal Pradesh during the 24 hours ending at 8:30 am on October 11.
IMD FORECASTS RAIN OVER THE COMING DAYS
The unsettled weather is expected to continue beyond October 11. The IMD forecast isolated to scattered rainfall in Uttarakhand from October 11 to 17, while Himachal Pradesh is likely to receive rain during October 11-13 and again on October 16-17.
Punjab is expected to experience fairly widespread to widespread rainfall on October 11 and 15, with isolated to scattered showers possible between October 12 and 14. Rain is also forecast over Haryana, Chandigarh, Delhi and parts of western Uttar Pradesh during the coming days.
The IMD warned that thunderstorms and strong winds could damage standing crops, trees and power lines. Heavy rainfall may also trigger localised waterlogging, flooding and landslides in vulnerable areas.
The southwest monsoon withdraws progressively as atmospheric conditions become drier and the monsoon circulation weakens. However, other weather systems can continue to produce rainfall after its withdrawal.
– Ends
SOURCE :- TIMES OF INDIA
