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Maharashtra rainfall deficit continues; El Niño impact cited
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People walk on railway tracks amid a waterlogged area after heavy rains at Nallasopara in Palghar, Maharashtra, on July 6, 2026. | Meteorological department data shows deficits of 30-40% in several districts and 50-70% in some areas relative to the expected rainfall for this period.July is the month when agricultural operations depend on adequate soil moisture, and the current shortfall has raised concerns among farming communities.The monsoon had shown activity in early July, bringing showers to Konkan and central Maharashtra, but that phase has subsided. “The monsoon trough has shifted to a position that does not favour widespread rainfall over the State,” said a meteorological department official. “Systems that could reinforce the flow are not active at present,” it said.Forecasts for the coming week indicate that only light to moderate rain may occur in isolated pockets, with no weather warnings issued for Monday (July 13, 2026) or Tuesday (July 14, 2026). Dry conditions are likely to persist across the State unless the weather systems that sustain monsoon flow become active again.The El Niño condition in the Pacific Ocean has gained strength over the monsoon season, and its effect on rainfall distribution has been observed across the State. “El Niño typically suppresses monsoon rainfall over the Indian subcontinent,” noted a climate analyst. “Records from 1950 onwards show that strong El Niño years correlate with below‑normal precipitation, and this year’s phase appears comparable to 2015-16 in its intensity.” That year had witnessed a major impact on India’s monsoon.Rainfall distribution has varied regionally. Konkan and parts of central Maharashtra have recorded above-average precipitation, while Marathwada and many districts in central Maharashtra show deficits. The uneven pattern has resulted in moisture stress in some areas, even as other regions received excess water. Among southern States, Tamil Nadu has reported near-normal rainfall, while others have recorded below-average precipitation.Temperatures in several districts have risen during the break in monsoon activity. “The rise in temperature and the dry spell are adding to the stress on standing crops,” said an agriculture extension officer from a deficit district. “Farmers are waiting for the next spell to decide on sowing and irrigation schedules.”The meteorological department has stated that any revival of rainfall would depend on the formation and movement of weather systems that drive monsoon circulation. “We are monitoring the development of low‑pressure areas in the Bay of Bengal,” the official added. “If such systems form, they could bring rainfall in the subsequent weeks.” Forecasters have indicated that the current dry spell may continue until those systems become active. Published - July 14, 2026 11:24 am IST
Home News India Heavy rain in Himachal's Sirmaur; schools forced to shut in Paonta today Updated - July 10, 2026 08:56 am IST People carrying umbrellas cross road amid heavy rain, in Kolkata on July 9, 2026. | Authorities scrambled to restore normalcy amid forecasts of more rain, with people wading through knee-deep water in residential areas in several cities and traffic crawling on major roads and highways.Relentless monsoon rain battered Delhi, inundating roads, uprooting trees and triggering widespread traffic snarls. The downpour also helped the national capital record its cleanest air since September 2023, with parts of the city receiving over 160 mm of rainfall.Follow the latest updates hereJuly 10, 2026 08:56 Heavy rain in Himachal's Sirmaur; schools forced to shut in Paonta todayHeavy monsoon rains continuing for the past 36 hours have wreaked havoc in many parts of Himachal’s Sirmaur district, prompting the Paonta administration to declare a holiday on Friday for educational institutions.As per official information, landslides have occurred at several places in the rural areas of the district, but no loss of life has been reported so far, except the death of one ox which slipped into a deep gorge near Shillai late Thursday evening.Sirmaur’s main rivers, Tons, Yamuna, Bata, Giri and Markanda, and dozens of streams are in spate. The administration has advised people to stay away from them.Paonta Sub-Divisional Officer Dwij Goyal has declared a holiday on Friday for all government and private educational institutions in the Paonta sub-division of Himachal’s Sirmaur district in view of an alert issued by the India Meteorological Department for heavy rainfall and thunderstorms.- PTIJuly 10, 2026 08:51 Gujarat CM Bhupendra Patel reviews situation over Surat floodsGujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, along with Deputy CM Harsh Sanghavi, in the presence of Union Minister of Jal Shakti C.R. Paatil, on Thursday reviewed the flood situation with officials and legislators in Surat.After the meeting, Gujarat Deputy CM praised Surat residents and relief agencies for teamwork during floods.Speaking to reporters, Mr. Sanghavi said, “Many areas in Surat had to face a flood situation due to heavy rains on July 7. Looking at the past records of rain in this city, this was the heaviest rainfall Surat had witnessed. The people of Surat worked as a team to come out of this difficult situation. They helped the government agencies wherever they could reach. It was a challenging time. There were 7-8 areas where there was serious waterlogging. NDRF, SDRF, and other agencies worked hard to evacuate and relocate people. The CM today held a review meeting in Surat. The CM has announced ₹500 crore towards a project to stop water from the creek entering the city.”- ANIJuly 10, 2026 08:50 Heavy rains lash U.P., at least 7 dead; IMD issues red alert for western districtsThe India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Thursday issued a ‘red alert’ for parts of western Uttar Pradesh, forecasting heavy to extremely heavy rainfall over the next 24 hours as intensified monsoon activity claimed at least seven lives and caused disruptions across the State.The deaths were reported from Sant Kabir Nagar, Kushinagar, Bulandshahr, Shamli and Ghaziabad in separate rain-related incidents, officials said.In Sant Kabir Nagar, two women died after being struck by lightning in separate villages. Sub-Divisional Magistrate Arun Kuma
Home News India Rain lashed parts of Delhi in the early hours of July 9, extending a wet spell in the national capital and bringing much-needed relief to residents from the recent humid conditions Updated - July 09, 2026 06:59 am IST People commute as it rains in New Delhi on July 08, 2026. | Watch | Explained: Why does Mumbai flood every monsoon?The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued an “Orange Alert” for the capital, signalling heavy rainfall over the region through most of the day.Continuous rain led to slight waterlogging in parts of the city, including the New Delhi Railway Station, Munirka and other parts. A fresh spell of rain is expected to continue over Northeast Uttar Pradesh till July 13, while East Rajasthan is likely to see similar activity on July 9.July 09, 2026 06:52 Delhi | Monsoon spell continues as rain lashes parts of national capitalRain lashed parts of Delhi in the early hours of today, extending a wet spell in the national capital and bringing much-needed relief to residents from the recent humid conditions.The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued an “Orange Alert” for the capital, signalling heavy rainfall over the region through most of the day.Continuous rain led to slight waterlogging in parts of the city, including the New Delhi Railway Station, Munirka and other parts.According to IMD, fairly widespread to widespread rainfall is likely over Haryana, Chandigarh, Delhi and West Uttar Pradesh until July 10. A fresh spell of rain is expected to continue over Northeast Uttar Pradesh till July 13, while East Rajasthan is likely to see similar activity on July 9.- ANI Published - July 09, 2026 06:50 am IST
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