Rain gives Hyderabad a miss, but IMD officials hopeful

HYDERABAD: Every year the period around mid-July promises enough rain to quench the parched water bodies of Hyderabad. But this year the city has not witnessed adequate rainfall.
With unpredictable weather conditions, the city has only been observing short spells of rains in isolated areas.
According to the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD), the deficit rainfall this season in the state is 35% and is 18% in Hyderabad.From June 1 to July 15, the cumulative rainfall in the state this season so far is 152.2 mm against the normal 232.7 mm. Meanwhile, the rainfall recorded in the city so far is 144.4 mm against the normal 176 mm, said an IMD official.
Forecasts for the next four days suggests that the city will be generally cloudy with one or two spells of rain or thundershowers.
Meteorologists attributed the deficit to the late arrival of southwest monsoon and its inactivity in the state. The monsoon is also not active due to lack of favourable conditions like low pressure area.
However, the officials remain hopeful that rains till fourth week of July could help the state make up for the deficit.
The elusive monsoon has also led to rise in maximum day temperatures and has raised concerns about the falling water levels in reservoirs and dipping ground water table.