August Rainfall In India Lowest In 19 Years; Know IMD’s September Forecast

New Delhi: Rainfall recorded in India in the month of August was lowest in 19 years, India Meteorological Department (IMD) said on Friday.

The IMD, which had predicted normal rainfall activity during August, has now said there will be above normal precipitation in September.

Two major spells of weak monsoon — from August 9 to 16 and August 23-27 — when north-west, central and adjoining peninsular and west coast of India had subdued rainfall activities, resulted in 24 per cent deficiency last month.

“During August 2021, rainfall over the country as a whole was below Long Period Average (LPA) by minus 24 per cent. It is also lowest August rainfall in last 19 years, since 2002,” the IMD said.

The monsoon season in India generally lasts from June 1 to September 30. This year, June recorded 10 per cent more rainfall, but there were deficiencies in July and August of 7 and 24 per cent, respectively.

In August, the central India division – comprising large areas of Maharashtra, Gujarat, Goa, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Odisha — under IMD received 39 per cent less rainfall.

Deficiency in north-west India division, comprising north Indian states, was 30 per cent, while the south peninsula received 10 per cent less rainfall last month. Only the east and north-east division recorded slightly surplus (2%) rainfall than normal.

IMD officials said formation of less number of low pressure systems and their lesser number of days contributed to the large rainfall deficiency in central India last month.