BHOPAL: El Nino has delayed spread of monsoon in Madhya Pradesh after it hit eastern parts of the state last week. After hitting Rewa, Satna, Jabalpur and neighbouring areas, process of further advancement of the monsoon across other parts of the state weakened, meteorological office said on Monday.

Speaking to TOI, Met office, Bhopal circle, director DP Dubey said, "Usually, 80% of times monsoon arrives from Bay of Bengal and 20% from Arabian Sea. The first system or cyclone for monsoon formed in the Arabian Sea and moved to Saudi Arabia instead of coming towards Mumbai."

The upper air cyclonic circulation was to move further towards other parts of the state from eastern MP, but as air circulation is weak right now, there is no monsoon current and intensity in weather system to give rain, he added. Unless cloud mass intensifies around Bay of Bengal, we will only see activities of thunder storm and windy weather, he said.

Delay in monsoon has led to rise in temperature in northern MP. Datia was the hottest place with mercury touching 43 degrees celsius. Khajuraho was 41.6 celsius and in Gwalior, maximum temperature was recorded at 40.3 degrees celsius. For next 24 hours, weather office said rain or thundershower is likely in some parts of eastern MP while the weather will remain dry in remaining parts of the state.

Source: Times of India (Dated 24 Jun 2014)