Monsoon withdrawal likely by month-end with return of rainfall

Indore: As the month of Sept progresses, Indore is experiencing a rise in temperature, signalling imminent departure of the monsoon season by the month-end.As per the Met department's forecast on Friday, a dry spell is expected to continue for the next four days. Thereafter, another weather system is expected to bring rainfall activity during the last week of Sept, during which monsoon withdrawal is expected.This year, the city has recorded only 799 mm of rainfall, significantly below the average of over 900 mm. Despite four cyclonic activities originating from the Bay of Bengal this Sept, most rainfall activity was witnessed in northern and eastern parts of Madhya Pradesh, with the systems weakening before reaching the state.As per the forecast by the Met department earlier this month, the final week of Sept could see a resurgence in rainfall due to a system forming in the northern Bay of Bengal, with Bhopal and other regions of the state likely to receive rainfall.So far, only 31.75 mm of rain has been registered this month. Clear skies prevailed in the city throughout the day. Temperatures have steadily increased over the past two days, with Friday recording a maximum of 32.2 degrees Celsius, two degrees above normal. Thursday's high was 31.8 degrees Celsius, while Wednesday saw a temperature of 30.4 degrees Celsius. The night temperature on Thursday stood at 22.1 degrees Celsius, which was a degree above normal, while it was 21.9 degrees Celsius on Wednesday night.The monsoon has traditionally wrapped up in Indore between late Sept and early Oct. In recent years, departures occurred on Oct 6 in 2021, Oct 14 in 2022, and Sept 25 in 2023.This year, a delayed departure is anticipated, with forecasts suggesting the monsoon could linger until the end of the month, marking a shift from the typical timeline observed from 2017 to 2022, when the season ended between Sept 20 and Oct 6.