As July progresses, the state of Telangana remains largely dry,even as neighboring Maharashtra and Karnataka have experienced substantial rainfall . While these states have received between 60 cm and 80 cm of rain in recent weeks, Telangana has only seen about 6 cm to 7 cm, raising concerns about the monsoon's effectiveness in the region .
According to Srinivas G.N.R.S., a Senior Meteorologist at the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) in Hyderabad,the lack of rainfall can be attributed to Telangana's current status as a 'rain shadow region.' This phenomenon occurs when weather patterns prevent moisture-laden winds from delivering precipitation to certain areas . He noted,“Telangana has become like rain shadow region,” emphasizing the stark contrast in rainfall levels between the states.
The arrival of southwest monsoon does not automatically ensure rain. The formation of specific weather systems, such as low-pressure areas or cyclonic circulations, is crucial for triggering precipitation. Currently, these systems are absent over the Bay of Bengal, which has left Telangana without significant rainfall. “At present,no such disturbance has formed. In the absence of these systems, Telangana is not receiving significant rainfall,” Srinivas explained .
This prolonged dry spell has led to rising daytime temperatures across the state . With reduced cloud cover,some areas are experiencing maximum temperatures around 38℃,nearly 6℃ above normal for this time of year. The discomfort is exacerbated by high humidity levels typical of the monsoon season. “When humidity remains high,even a temperature of around 35 degrees Celsius can feel well above 40℃,” Srinivas added, describing the oppressive conditions residents are facing.
The IMD has predicted continued hot and humid weather for several districts in Telangana,including Bhadradri Kothagudem, Khammam, Nalgonda, Suryapet, Mahabubnagar, and Nagarkurnool on July 15. forecast indicates that these conditions are likely to persist, further impacting the comfort levels of the population .
Looking ahead,international climate monitoring agencies are reporting that El Niño conditions are expected to strengthen throughout the remainder of the southwest monsoon season and into the latter part of the year. El Niño is characterized by elevated sea surface temperatures in the eastern and central equatorial Pacific Ocean. It is declared when these temperatures exceed 0.5 degrees Celsius above normal, with anomalies above 1℃ classified as moderate and those exceeding 2℃ considered strong.
Current projections suggest that El Niño will intensify over next four to five months,potentially complicating the monsoon dynamics in India. The implications of a stronger El Niño could be significant, affecting not only rainfall patterns but also agricultural outputs and water resources across country.
As Telangana continues to grapple with the effects of this unusual weather pattern,the situation remains fluid. The state's farmers and residents are left hoping for a shift in conditions that will bring the much-needed rains.
