Normal rainfall mark for August breached

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, August 24

After the city recorded below-normal rainfall for two consecutive months, it today surpassed the normal rainfall mark for August.

According to the Chandigarh Meteorological Department, the UT has seen 290.1 mm of rainfall this month so far while normal rainfall for August is 284.8 mm.

On the contrary, June, which recorded, “large deficient” rainfall, received only 11.9 mm of precipitation even as the month’s normal rainfall is 155.5 mm. In July too, against the normal rainfall of 273.2 mm, they city received only 178.2 mm.

Despite good amount of rainfall in August and lesser rainfall in two previous monsoon months, the seasonal rainfall is still 22.9% less than normal. As per the weathermen, the gap was however likely to be filled. “The end of August and first week of September are likely to see good rainfall too,” said Surender Paul, Director of the local weather department.

“The reason is that monsoon has come back to normal position. The weather conditions from the northwest and Bay of Bengal are favourable for rainfall. Shallow western disturbance is also at play,” he added. The city today recorded 3.6 mm of rainfall before 8.30 am and 8.1 mm later till 5.30 pm. In the three monsoon months this year, 520.9 mm of rainfall has been recorded so far.

Meanwhile, the maximum temperature today was recorded at 35.1°C, which is a degree above normal, while the minimum stood at 25.3°C, also a notch below normal.

“No major change is expected in the day or night temperatures over the next five days. Also, there is a five-day rain forecast in the city,” said the weatherman.

As per the forecast, the city is likely to witness generally cloudy conditions tomorrow.