Jaisalmer and Barmer border posts of Rajasthan have rained record excess to take the seasons total to above normal. For the first three months of the season, the cumulative rainfall is surplus by 24% and 17% respectively for Jaisalmer and Barmer. Courtesy good rains during August, Jaisalmer recorded a monthly total of 146.6 mm against the normal of 72.2 mm and Barmer registered 201 mm against the normal of 103 mm.
Jaisalmer and Barmer about 150km apart are located in a semi-arid zone having the least rainfall during the monsoon season. The variability of rainfall is very large during the rainy season and more often remains unpredictable. Jaisalmer has recorded the highest rainfall of the last 10 years during August, the earlier amount being 124.7 mm in August 2016. Incidentally, the lowest rainfall of a mere 27.9 mm during August was recorded in 2014. The highest ever record stands at 394.5 mm way back in 1955. Barmer also has the lowest record of 13 mm in August 2015 and the highest being 228.2 mm in 2016.
A wet spell of 2 days (03 and 04 September) is forecast for the entire state of Rajasthan and more so for West Rajasthan including Barmer and Jaisalmer. The other neighboring towns of Pali, Nagaur, Bhilwara, Phalodi, and Sirohi can also expect moderate to heavy showers during this period. Residual light to moderate rains may lash extreme West Rajasthan even on 05th Sep.
Just to remind that withdrawal of monsoon time is coming closer to West Rajasthan. The normal dates though have now been extended to 15th September as against the earlier date of 01st Sep. The signs of withdrawal from West Rajasthan may start appearing anytime after 10 September.