According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the monsoon was active in northwest India in August, resulting in 7.3 percent more rainfall than average across the country.
During the first 20 days of August, northwest India experienced 36.9 percent excess rainfall while central India saw a surplus of 9.9 percent. However, central India also recorded a deficit of 8.9 percent rainfall and the peninsular region was deficient by 0.8 percent.
As of June 1, the country as a whole received 3 percent more rain than average. Meanwhile, eastern and northeastern India experienced a 13 percent deficit, northwestern India saw no surplus, central India registered a 9 percent increase and the southern peninsula received 20 percent more rain than normal.
The active monsoon pattern has led to 16 percent more rain in Delhi, 42 percent in Ladakh and 47 percent in Rajasthan since June 1.
Rain deficiency in Himachal, Uttarakhand
Despite reports of heavy rainfall and flooding in Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand, these regions are still facing a rainfall deficit of 21 percent and 4 percent respectively during the monsoon season so far.
Punjab recorded a deficit of 30 percent, while Haryana has a deficit of 18 percent, even though the latter had a surplus of 34 percent in August.
The IMD Cumulative Standardized Precipitation Index (SPI) for 18 July to 14 August indicates that many districts in the Indo-Gangetic Plains, particularly in eastern India, will remain mildly to severely dry. The SPI is widely used worldwide to identify and assess meteorological droughts.
Low pressure area over Bangladesh
A low pressure area formed over central Bangladesh on Tuesday (August 20), accompanied by a cyclonic circulation. The system is expected to move west-northwest, crossing West Bengal and bringing heavy rainfall over eastern India. The low pressure area is expected to continue its journey through Jharkhand, Bihar and Uttar Pradesh, bringing additional rainfall to northern regions.
Between Monday and Tuesday, isolated locations in Tripura and Meghalaya received heavy to extremely heavy rainfall, with precipitation amounts ranging from 6.45 cm to over 20 cm.
Heavy rainfall was also recorded in Uttarakhand, East Rajasthan, Jammu and Kashmir, Nagaland, Jharkhand, Telangana, Assam, Rayalaseema and parts of Himachal Pradesh, Delhi, East Madhya Pradesh, Haryana, Marathwada, Bihar, Tamil Nadu, Interior Karnataka, Coastal Andhra Pradesh and Yanam.
The low pressure area is currently concentrated over central Bangladesh and its surroundings and is expected to move north-northwestwards over West Bengal within the next 48 hours.
First publication: Aug 20, 2024 | 5:17 PM IST