La Nina phenomenon may delay monsoon withdrawal

NEW DELHI: The withdrawal of the southwest monsoon from many parts of the country is likely to be delayed by the La Nina phenomenon as a new low-pressure area is in the Bay of Bengal will bring heavy rain to eastern and central India, weather scientists said.

Delayed withdrawal poses a risk for farmers as rainfall at the harvest time can damage crops. However, in northern and north-western India, the weather has already dried up as the southwest monsoon has retreated from many parts of the region.

"Due to weak La Nina conditions prevailing, a fresh low-pressure system will develop in the Bay of Bengal by October 9. This will make the withdrawal more gradual," a senior scientist said.


The monsoon was expected to leave the subcontinent entirely by October 15. This will almost certainly be missed, the scientist added.

The formation of the low-pressure area near the east coast will also bring heavy rain to parts of east and central India, the India Meteorological Department said.

"Under the influence of fresh Low Pressure Area, rainfall activity very likely to increase over Odisha and coastal Andhra Pradesh during 11th to 13th Oct, 2020," IMD said. Apart from Andhra Pradesh and Odisha, Telangana, Chhattisgarh, Bihar, Jharkhand, and West Bengal will also get widespread showers in the coming days.