Maharashtra's monsoon worries over

Maharashtra's monsoon worries are a thing of the past, with last week's widespread rainfall bridging the gaps in deficient regions like Marathwada and Vidarbha.

Disclosing this to DNA on Monday, India meteorological department's (IMD), director for weather forecasting, Medha Khole, said all the four weather divisions in the state — Konkan and Goa, Madhya Maharashtra, Marathwada and Vidarbha — had recorded normal rainfall up to July 17.

According to Khole, the recent wet spell across the state was the result of an active offshore trough between south Gujarat and Kerala, coupled with the development of a pressure gradient across the western coast.

Khole said this had resulted in the strong monsoon winds blowing into Maharashtra. "This has resulted in heavy to very heavy rains in south Madhya Maharashtra and Konkan over the weekend," she added. Marathwada and Vidarbha, which were deficient till a week ago, had reached normal level, thanks to last week's rainfall.

Last week's rains have brought the smiles back on the faces of farmers across the state, according to Nabansu Chattopadhyay, deputy director general of meteorology, agrimet division.

"The paddy crop in the Konkan, Vidarbha and some parts of Madhya Maharashtra has had sufficient water-logging and is doing well. In fact, we have advised farmers to incorporate adequate drainage so that there is no damage to the crop," he said.

Pune city will continue to experience a wet day with a steady drizzle on Tuesday. However, Khole predicted that the rainfall would reduce on the following three days.Revellers at Pashan lake in the city, which began overflowing on Monday.