India Grapples With 20% Rainfall Deficit As Monsoon Delays Worsen, IMD Reports

India has faced a 20% deficit in rainfall since the onset of the monsoon season on June 1, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) reported. Between June 12 and 18, the country received 64.5 mm of rainfall, significantly lower than the long-period average of 80.6 mm.

The IMD indicated that conditions are now favourable for the monsoon to advance further into parts of Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, Odisha, coastal Andhra Pradesh, northwest Bay of Bengal, Bihar, and Jharkhand over the next three to four days.

Since June 1, rainfall in northwest India was 70% below normal, with only 10.2 mm recorded. Central India received 50.5 mm, 31% less than normal. The south peninsula experienced 106.6 mm, which is 16% above normal. East and northeast India received 146.7 mm, 15% below normal.

The southwest monsoon began advancing into parts of the Nicobar Islands on May 19. By May 26, it had spread to most of the south and some parts of the central Bay of Bengal, influenced by Cyclone Remal. On May 30, the monsoon reached Kerala and the northeastern states, arriving earlier than usual.

By June 12, the monsoon had covered Kerala, Karnataka, Goa, Andhra Pradesh, and Telangana, most parts of southern Maharashtra, some parts of southern Chhattisgarh and southern Odisha, and most parts of sub-Himalayan West Bengal, Sikkim, and all northeastern states.

However, the monsoon's progress stalled after June 12. As of June 18, its northern limit extends through Navsari, Jalgaon, Amravati, Chandrapur, Bijapur, Sukma, Malkangiri, and Vizianagaram.

The IMD reported that between June 1 and 18, 11 meteorological sub-divisions received normal to large excess rainfall, while 25 experienced deficient to large deficient rainfall. The forecast suggests that the average rainfall over the country in June is likely to be below normal (less than 92% of the long-period average).

Normal to above-normal rainfall is expected in most areas of the southern peninsula and some parts of northeast India, while below-normal rainfall is anticipated in many areas of northwest and central India, and some parts of northeast India.

In a May-end press briefing, the IMD stated that the country could see above-normal rainfall in the four-month monsoon season (June to September), with cumulative rainfall estimated at 106% of the long-period average of 87 cm.

Currently, El Nino conditions, which cause weaker monsoon winds and drier conditions, prevail. However, La Nina, which typically brings abundant rainfall, may develop by August-September, scientists noted. The monsoon's progress is vital for India's agricultural and water needs, as it is crucial for 52% of India's cultivated area, agriculture, drinking water, and power generation.

(With inputs from PTI.)