At 265 mm, north-west India sees wettest August since 2001

North-west India received 265 mm of rainfall in August, the highest since 2001 and the 13th highest since 1901. The normal rainfall in the north-west region is usually 197.1 mm. This year, the region received 34.4 per cent above normal rainfall in August.

On an average, in August, India received 268.1 mm of rainfall against the normal of 254.9 mm. This is the seventh highest rainfall in August in India since 2001.

Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) Director General Mrutyunjaya Mohapatra said this year, August saw 101 incidents of extremely heavy rainfall compared to 133 during this month last year.

“The formation of three low pressure systems (LPS) during August helped the central Indian region and northwest India get a good amount of rainfall. A western disturbance also hit the north-western region. The total number of LPS days was 14 against the normal of 16.3 days in August,” he said. In September, the country will receive above-normal rainfall.

“The monthly rainfall over the country as a whole during September is likely to be above normal. It will be more than 109 per cent of the long period average (LPA). The LPA of rainfall over the country as a whole during September based on data from 1971-2020 is about 167.9 mm. However, some parts of north-east and east India, many areas of extreme south Peninsular India and some parts of northern-most India are likely to receive below-normal rainfall,” the IMD said.

For September, the department has predicted that monthly average maximum temperatures are expected to remain normal to below normal in many regions of west-central, north-west and south India. These are likely to be above normal over many parts of east-central, east and north-east India and some parts of north-west India and the western coastal region.

The IMD has warned that above-normal rainfall can significantly benefit agriculture and water resources but also brings potential risks such as flooding, landslides, surface transport disruptions, public health challenges and ecosystem damage.

“To manage these risks effectively, it is essential to reinforce infrastructure, utilise the IMD’s early warnings, enhance surveillance and conservation efforts, and establish robust response systems in vulnerable sectors,” the IMD said.