Expert Advisory Details

Weather information released by PAU

During the month of May, 2021 the temperatures reached upto 40oC during the first week of the month but dropped down to 28oC next week which was 10oC below normal under the influence of western disturbance. The rainfall recorded was 8.9 mm against the normal of 31.6 mm during the first fortnight of May as per Dr K K Gill, Principal Agrometeorologist, PAU, Ludhiana. She said that there are further chances of rainfall in coming 2-3 days in the region. She further added that A depression over Lakshadweep & east central Arabian Sea area moved north-northeastwards and intensified into deep depression and then into a Cyclonic Storm “Tauktae” (pronounced as Tau’Te) on 14th May. A very severe cyclonic storm over eastcentral Arabian Sea moved north-northwestwards and intensified into an extremely severe cyclonic storm on 17th May, 2021 and Gujarat coast in the evening hours of 17th & crossed Gujarat coast during the night of 17th May with a maximum sustained wind speed 155-165 kmph gusting to 185 kmph. Now it is moving towards Rajasthan, Light to moderate rainfall at many places with heavy to very heavy falls & extremely heavy falls at isolated places very likely over south Rajasthan on 18th & heavy to very heavy falls at isolated places over Rajasthan on 19th May. Under the influence of this cyclonic storm, Light to moderate rainfall (1-3 cm) at few places very likely to commence from southern parts of Haryana from evening of 18th May 2021 and very likely to cover Most parts of Haryana & Chandigarh and Many parts of Southern, Eastern and North Eastern Punjab during subsequent 48 hours (19th to 20th May 2021). Heavy rainfall (7-10 cm) likely at isolated places over Haryana and eastern Punjab during this period. Said spell also likely to be accompanied with Thunderstorm/Lightning and gusty winds 40-50 kmph. PAU has issued special advisory in this regards as follows.

• Avoid going to low lying areas, rivers and other water bodies.
• Avoid venturing into water logged areas.
• Maintenance of drainage network should be done.
• Make arrangement for drainage of excess water from the fields.
• Avoid application of Fertilizers and Insecticides.
• Don’t keep harvested crop in open.
• Drive carefully during rain.
• Avoid taking shelter under trees during thunder and lightning.
• Don’t go near water bodies.
• Farming operations may be suspended during thunderstorm event.
• Don’t go near electric poles and wires.

As per IMD long range weather forecast, the southwest monsoon advances over the Andaman Sea around 22nd May. A sustained rainfall activity is likely over the south Bay of Bengal and Andaman & Nicobar Islands from 21st May. Hence the monsoon advance over Andaman & Nicobar Islands is very likely around 21st May 2021 on its normal time and expected to hit Punjab during first week of July.