Now Reading: Monsoon depression lingers but El Niño threatens rainfall
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Monsoon depression lingers but El Niño threatens rainfall
A monsoon depression that was expected to fade over north Jharkhand held its ground until Wednesday evening, sustaining rainfall across northern, eastern and north-eastern India, businessline reported on August 19. The system, positioned near the monsoon trough and secondary troughs, weakened into a well-marked low-pressure area later that day. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) located the low about 30 km north-northwest of Daltonganj.
However, by August 21, the broader forecast turned drier. The IMD predicted below-normal rainfall across India from August 20 to September 2, under the influence of a rapidly strengthening El Niño, businessline reported. Although east and north-east India remain in the rain path through next week, a southward shift could bring isolated heavy rain to Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, and Kerala. The west coast, including rain-deficient Kerala, may see widespread showers from Sunday. A fresh focus on the western Himalayas is expected from August 27.
The APEC Climate Centre in Busan has projected an enhanced probability of below-normal rainfall during September-November, which could limit relief for the South Peninsula's north-east monsoon season in October-November. Central India, however, may get above-normal rain from December to February.
Indian Opinion Analysis
Both reports from businessline present a neutral, data-driven account of the monsoon's trajectory, with no discernible pro- or anti-government slant. The first (Aug 19) focuses on a depression's unexpected stamina, emphasising its immediate rain-generating power across swathes of India. The second (Aug 21) shifts the lens to El Niño and a forecasted below-normal fortnight, leading with the broader seasonal weakness. Neither source overstates or omits key facts, the measured takeaway is that the monsoon is weakening but retains localised intensity. The gap between the two stories reflects changing weather reality in just 48 hours, not editorial bias. What to watch: whether September-November rainfall, as flagged by the APEC forecast, indeed falls below normal, and how the north-east monsoon performs in October-November for the South Peninsula.
Coverage: 2 sources, 2 neutral
Sources (2): thehindubusinessline.com (neutral report), thehindubusinessline.com (2) (neutral report)
This story was synthesised by AI from the 2 sources linked above. Methodology and corrections.
Updated: this story now draws on 2 sources.
