Status of Southwest Monsoon Rainfall

INVC,,

Delhi,,

Monsoon rainfall activity has improved considerably during this week as compared to the previous week . A statement from India Meteorological Department says however, many parts of east India continued to receive deficient rainfall. It further informs that seasonal rainfall deficiency from long period average (LPA) for the country as a whole is now 5%. All India rainfall during 01-18 August was -6% below the LPA. IMD predicts widespread rainfall activity along the foothills of Himalayas and northeastern states during the next week (21-27 August). In the subsequent week, rainfall may increase over north Peninsular India and adjoining east and central India.

The monsoon rainfall has improved significantly during this week as compared to the previous week over all the regions except central India, which was deficient by 22% than the LPA. Out of 36 meteorological sub-divisions, rainfall was excess in 9, normal in 16 and deficient in 11 sub-divisions during the week. Orissa and Jharkhand were the most deficient sub-divisions with rainfall deficiency of 55% and 47% respectively. In area-wise distribution, 66% area of the country received excess/normal rainfall.

Synoptic features of the week shows last week’s low pressure area over northwest Bay of Bengal and adjoining areas of westcentral Bay of Bengal moved across Orissa, Chhattisgarh, Vidarbha, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan. The off-shore trough along the west coast was well marked during a few days of the week.