With 42% deficit rainfall, Andhra Pradesh is third worst-hit State in India this monsoon season
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Andhra Pradesh has recorded 255.3 mm of rain this monsoon season, compared with the normal of 442.3 mm between June 1 and September 16. | Photo Credit: File Photo
With the Southwest Monsoon nearing its withdrawal phase, Andhra Pradesh has emerged as the country’s third most rainfall-deficient State this season, largely due to prevailing El Niño conditions.
According to data from the India Meteorological Department (IMD), of the total 36 States and Union Territories in India, 17 have reported ‘normal’ rainfall, 16 reported ‘deficient’ rainfall, two ‘excess’ and one ‘large excess’, between June 1 and September 16.
Meghalaya leads the country in rainfall deficit at 59%, followed by Manipur (43%), and Arunachal Pradesh and Andhra Pradesh (42%). Punjab and Puducherry follow closely, with 40% rainfall deficit.
In the Southern Peninsula, comprising Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Keralam, Lakshadweep and Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Andhra Pradesh reported the steepest rainfall deficit. The State has recorded 255.3 mm of rain so far this monsoon season, compared with the normal of 442.3 mm between June 1 and September 16. The neighbouring Telangana reported a deficit of 20%.
IMD experts say this is the second time since 1904 that Andhra Pradesh has reported such a huge rainfall deficit. In 1904, considered a drought year, the rainfall deficit was 44.19%.
Usually, Andhra Pradesh receives the maximum of SW monsoon rain in August and September. However, the State reported a whopping 55% deficit in August, as it received only 65.4 mm of rainfall, against the normal of 144.3 mm. Ten of 28 districts in the State reported ‘large deficient’ rainfall last month.
The two main factors that contributed to the deficient rainfall in the State, include El Nino conditions and the formation of low-pressure systems near the head of the Bay of Bengal, explains O.P. Sreejith, a scientist at the Climate Research and Services, IMD-Pune.
“Multiple low-pressure systems were formed over the Bay of Bengal during the season, but most of them originated in the head of the Bay of Bengal and moved along the monsoon trough,” Mr. Sreejith said.
While the IMD had forecast dry weather in September too, the situation improved a bit, thanks to a low-pressure system formed over the Bay of Bengal in the second week. There is another low-pressure zone forming over the Andaman Sea region.
Experts hope that this should bring good rainfall to the State.
But, in any case, the State’s deficiency will not fall below 35%. “We can expect the deficit percentage to be around 40% or below that, depending on the amount of rainfall we get next week,” Mr. Sreejith added.
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