Gurgaon: The city is likely to receive rain at many places on Friday and Saturday, with India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecasting continued rainfall activity across the city over the next two days.The forecast issued by IMD’s Chandigarh centre on Thursday indicates rain at many places in the city on Sept 4 and 5. Rainfall activity will continue on Friday across much of Haryana, with Gurgaon, Faridabad, Palwal and several other districts in the south expected to receive rain at many places. On Saturday, rain is again forecast at many places in Gurgaon and adjoining districts.IMD has also indicated the possibility of heavy rain at isolated places in parts of Haryana during the period. The warning map for Friday indicates a more severe weather warning over parts of the state, while the warning for Saturday covers several southern districts.The weather department has forecast a gradual reduction in rainfall activity after Saturday, with rain at a few places likely in Gurgaon on Sunday and Monday.In the 24 hours ending 5pm on Thursday, Gurgaon recorded 13mm of rain at the NorthCap University station. The city recorded a maximum temperature of 32.8 degrees Celsius on Thursday at the Gurgaon automatic weather station. It was 1.2 degrees Celsius higher than the previous day. The minimum was 26.2 degrees Celsius, unchanged from Wednesday and close to normal.The IMD’s forecast comes against a backdrop of uneven rainfall across Haryana. In the 24 hours ending 5pm on Thursday, Ambala received 56.4mm, Faridabad 30mm, Palwal 19mm and Rohtak 10mm. Gurgaon, however, recorded only 0.6mm during the same period, according to the district-wise rainfall map.The disparity was also evident in the weekly rainfall figures. Gurgaon received 4.2mm between Aug 28 and Sept 3 against a normal 29.1mm, resulting in an 86% deficit. Haryana as a whole received 7.2mm during the week against a normal 25.8mm, a 72% deficit.IMD’s weekly report indicated that Gurgaon recorded heavy to very heavy rainfall at isolated places on three days, while light to moderate rain occurred at isolated places on most days. Thunderstorms, lightning and gusty winds were also reported on the seventh day.Despite the recent dry spell, Gurgaon’s rainfall for the monsoon season so far remains close to normal. Between June 1 and Sept 3, the district received 412.4mm against a normal 420mm, a deficit of only 2%.The rainfall pattern varied considerably across the state. While Gurgaon and most districts remained deficient during the week, Palwal received 26.8mm against a normal 20.2mm, recording a 33% excess. Panchkula received 129.1mm, which was 169% above its weekly normal.
