The Hindu Editorial (None too soon) – Oct 17, 2025

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The Hindu Editorial (None too soon) – Oct 17, 2025:

none too soon (noun) – just in time; at the last possible moment.
north-east monsoon (NEM) (noun) – The northeasterly winds blow from the northeast to the southwest. During their movement, these winds pick up moisture from the Bay of Bengal and dump it over the southern states of Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, and even south Telangana and Karnataka during the three-month period between October and December. It is also referred to as the winter monsoon, retreating monsoon, or reverse monsoon. It offers a mere 11% contribution to India’s annual rainfall, as opposed to the 75% offered by the southwest monsoon.
south-west monsoon (SWM) (noun) – The southwesterly wind flow occurring over most parts of India and Indian Seas gives rise to southwest monsoon over India from June to September. The four-month long summer Monsoon season brings 70% of the country’s annual rainfall. It holds a Long Period Average (LPA) of 89 cm of rain but never behaves in a normal manner. In fact, rainfall distribution mostly remains uneven both in space and time.
timely (adjective) – prompt, appropriate, opportune, well timed, at the right time.
bode well/ill (verb) – augur, indicate, portend (a good/bad outcome).
peninsula (noun) – an area of land almost surrounded by water (on three sides) and one side attached to the mainland.
Rayalaseema (noun) – it refers to one of the three divisions of ancient Andhra Pradesh (eastern coast of southern India). Before the formation of Telangana as a separate state topographically the Andhra region may be broadly divided into three zones, that is, Coastal Andhra, Telangana and Rayalaseema. The Rayalaseema region is situated on the southwestern region and includes the districts of Anantapur, Kurnool, Cuḍḍapāh and Chittoor.
given (preposition) – considering, taking into account, bearing in mind.
perspective (noun) – point of view, viewpoint, position.
set in (phrasal verb) – begin, start, arrive, come.
meteorological (adjective) – relating to the branch of science that deals with phenomena (events) of the atmosphere or weather.
India Meteorological Department (IMD) (noun) – an agency under the Ministry of Earth Sciences of the Government of India which is responsible for meteorological observations, weather forecasting and seismology. It has the responsibility for forecasting, naming and distributing warnings for tropical cyclones in the Northern Indian Ocean region, including the Malacca Straits, the Bay of Bengal, the Arabian Sea and the Persian Gulf.
forecast (noun) – prediction, estimation, calculation, reckoning, expectation.
long period average (LPA) (noun) – LPA is the average rainfall received by the country as a whole during the south-west monsoon, for a 50-year period. The current LPA is 88 cm, based on the mean (average) rainfall over the years 1951 and 2000.
go by (phrasal verb) – to be guided by something; to form an opinion from something.
disturbance (noun) – it means an area of “disturbed” or reduced air pressure.
cloudburst (noun) – a sudden and very heavy rainfall.
Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM) (noun) – it is a scientific institution based in Pune, Maharashtra, India for expanding research in tropical Indian Ocean of the tropics in general with special reference to monsoon meteorology, and air-sea interaction of South Asian climate.
consequently (adverb) – accordingly, as a result of, in view of, therefore, on this/that account, because of this/that.
dread (noun) – fear, anxiety, worry, disquiet, apprehension.
Keep in mind (phrase) – consider, take into account, be aware of, bear in mind.
put in place (phrase) – establish, set up, create/form.
real-time (noun as modifier) – the actual time in which something happens.
calibrate (verb) – carefully assess/analyze; carefully regulate.
discharge (noun) – release.
reservoir (noun) – a source of water supply; pool, lake, pond.
authorities (noun) – official, officialdom, the people in charge, the administration, the bureaucracy, the system.
as in (phrase) – in the sense of, that is to say, namely, in the sense that.
machinery (noun) – system, structure, administration, agency.
drop (verb) – reduce, decrease, lessen, diminish.
in need of (phrase) – needing something.
attention (noun) – care, action, observation, concentration, scrutiny, heed.
state (noun) – condition, situation.
storm water (noun) – inundated/flood water produced after a heavy rainfall.
storm water drain (noun) – a network of structures, channels and underground pipes that carry storm water (rain water) to ponds, lakes, streams and rivers.
water course (noun) – stream, river, brook (small river), water channel.
leaves much to be desired (phrase) – to be very unsatisfactory.
hold responsible for (phrase) – blame, accuse, hold accountable, pin something on, connect/associate with.
waterbody (noun) – pool, lake, pond.
dumping yard (noun) – a place where waste, trash, and unwanted items are deposited and disposed of; rubbish/garbage dump, or dumping ground.
aggravate (verb) – increase, intensify, worsen, exacerbate, compound.
highlight (verb) – emphasize, underscore, underline, stress, call/draw attention to.
flag (verb) – indicate, point out, identify; draw attention to something.
macro picture (noun) – a very broad view.
vigilant (adjective) – careful, circumspect, cautious, watchful, heedful, attentive, alert, wary, mindful, prudent.
in unison (phrase) – together, simultaneously/at the same time.
unison (noun) – agreement, concurrence, consensus, unanimity.
adverse (adjective) – dangerous, harmful, detrimental, unhealthy; unfavourable, disadvantageous, bad.