NEW DELHI: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has said rainfall in the month of August this year, which registered 24 per cent deficiency, was the lowest in 19 years.
As per reports from the IMD, the country witnessed two major spells of weak monsoon in the month of August – from August 9-16 and another from August 23-27. The Northeast region, central and adjoining peninsular and west coast of the country had subdued rainfall at that period.
Rainfall in the country as a whole was below Long Period Average (LPA) by minus 24 per cent and that was also the lowest rainfall witnessed by the country in the past 19 years. The southwest monsoon time starts from June 1 and remains till September 30. The month of June registered 10 per cent more rainfall, however, the next two months (July and August) had seven per cent and 24 per cent deficiency in rainfall count, reports from the IMD said.
It may be mentioned that scientific studies have found that rainfall patterns over the Northeast region have changed substantially in the past one century and this has resulted in overall drying up. As per the Union Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change, temperatures in the Northeast region will rise by 1.8-2.1 degrees by the end of 2030. The annual mean rainfall is likely to rise by 0.3-3 per cent in that same period. As per data, the place which receives the highest rainfall in India is in Meghalaya state's Mawsynram. It is located in East Khasi Hills district.
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