India Records Seventh Lowest June Rainfall Since 2001: IMD
After an early arrival in Kerala and the northeastern region on May 30 and progressing normally to Maharashtra, the monsoon has slowed.
India experienced lower-than-average rainfall in June, with a 11% shortfall, the highest in five years, according to the India Meteorological Department. IMD data shows the country received 147.2 mm of rainfall compared to the usual 165.3 mm for the month, marking the seventh lowest since 2001.
Rainfall in June constitutes 15% of the total 87 cm of precipitation documented over the four-month monsoon period in the country.
After an early arrival in Kerala and the northeastern region on May 30 and progressing normally to Maharashtra, the monsoon slowed, delaying rains in West Bengal, Odisha, Jharkhand, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, and Uttar Pradesh, and exacerbating the effects of a severe heatwave in northwest India.
"The country recorded 16 days of below-normal rainfall activity—from June 11 to June 27—which led to overall below-normal precipitation," IMD chief Mrutyunjay Mohapatra said.
According to the IMD, northwest India experienced a 33% shortfall in rainfall, central India had a 14% deficit, and east and northeast India saw a 13% deficit. In contrast, south India had a 14% surplus in June.
The Met office highlighted that 12% of the country's sub-divisional areas received excess to significantly excess rainfall, 38% had normal rainfall, and 50% faced deficient to significantly deficient rainfall.
IMD data shows that in 20 out of the 25 years when June rainfall was below normal (less than 92% of the long-period average), July rainfall was normal (94-106% of LPA) or above normal.
In 17 of the 25 years when June rainfall was below normal, the seasonal rainfall was normal or above normal, it said.
The IMD had earlier forecast above-normal rainfall during the monsoon season in India, with cumulative precipitation estimated at 106% of the long-period average of 87 cm.
Below-normal monsoon rainfall is expected in northeast India, normal in the northwest, and above-normal in central and south peninsular regions of the country, it said.
India's core monsoon zone, covering most of the rain-fed agricultural areas in the country, is predicted to receive above-normal rainfall this season, the Met office said.
The monsoon is critical for India's agricultural landscape, with 52% of the net cultivated area relying on it. It is also crucial for replenishing reservoirs critical for drinking water and power generation across the country.
June and July are considered the most important monsoon months for agriculture, as most of the sowing for the Kharif crop takes place during this period.
El Nino conditions are prevailing at present, and La Nina may set in by August-September, scientists have said.
El Nino, the periodic warming of surface waters in the central Pacific Ocean, is associated with weaker monsoon winds and drier conditions in India. La Nina, the antithesis of El Nino, leads to plentiful rainfall during the monsoon season.
(With inputs from PTI)
