Monsoon over Punjab slightly above normal in August, but seasonal deficiency still 24%

Tribune News Service

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Chandigarh, September 1

After remaining in the red since its arrival this year, the monsoon over Punjab finally moved a bit above normal during August, but the seasonal deficiency in the state is still 24 per cent. With the weather department predicting above normal rains in many areas during September, the overall deficiency is further likely to reduce.

The rain in August was surplus by 7 per cent. From August 1 till August 31, Punjab received 156.6 mm rain against the long period average 146.2 mm for this period, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD).

With a surplus of 194 per cent, Tarn Taran was the wettest district during the month, followed by Faridkot with 90 per cent, Patiala with 35 per cent and Amritsar with 32 per cent. On the other hand, Hoshiarpur was the worst hit district with a deficiency of 46 per cent, followed by Mansa with 35 per cent and SAS Nagar with 32 per cent.

As a result of many parts of north-west India, including the mountainous regions, receiving good rains during the later part of August, the water storage at crucial dams in the region has also gone up to comfortable levels. This was significantly below normal during the early phase of the monsoon.

As far as the entire season is concerned, Punjab received 275.6 mm rain from June 1 till August 31 against the long period average of 362.2 mm for this period. Tarn Taran and Pathankot, with a surplus of 31 per cent and 15 per cent, respectively, were the only two districts in the state that received more rain than the long period average during the season.

With a shortfall of 58 per cent, Mohali has been the worst hit district in the state during the season, followed by Bathinda with 57 per cent, SBS Nagar with 54 per cent and Fatehgarh Sahib with 51 per cent. Both Moga and Ferozepur recorded a shortfall of 50 per cent, according to IMD data.

Punjab has been receiving light to moderate rain and thundershowers at some places over the past few days and more rain is expected in the coming days. The weatherman has predicted isolated to scattered rainfall till September 6 with the possibility of heavy showers at some places on September 2-3.

Further, in its monthly outlook for rainfall and temperature during September 2024, issued on August 31, IMD is expecting above-normal rainfall over most parts of India, except some areas of extreme north India. It has also predicted normal to below-normal maximum temperatures in some areas in northwest India whereas the maximum temperatures are likely to be above-normal in most parts of the country.