The Southwest Monsoon is a four month long affair. While the onset takes place in June, the withdrawal phase begins in the first week of September. By the end of September, Southwest Monsoon bids adieu to Northwest India.
During the Southwest Monsoon, some areas receive very less rain. However, the Western Ghats and Northeast India are the most Monsoon active pockets in the country. One or two areas in these pockets keep receiving good Monsoon showers throughout the season.
It is very rare when the entire country goes almost dry during the Monsoon months. However, September 27 was one such day when the country was practically dry. The country received a mere 0.8 mm of rain against the daily average rainfall of 5.1 mm. On the contrary, September 23 witnessed the rainiest day of the month.
This season, the country has witnessed dry days during each Monsoon month. For instance, on June 2, 2.4 mm rain was observed, while 3 mm rain was recorded on July 5. Also, the country recorded 3.1 mm of rain on August 25. In September, 2.1 mm rain was observed on two occasions, September 4 and September 26, respectively.
On September 27, Central India along with East and Northeast India observed dry conditions with a rainfall deficiency of 99 and 98 percent, respectively. Northwest was rain deficient by 65 percent, while South India was the best performing pocket. However, the region did observe rainfall deficiency of a good 50 percent. Tamil Nadu was the only sub-division to have recorded above normal rainfall (+17 percent) on September 27. The region recorded 5.4 mm of rain against its daily average rainfall of 4.6 mm.
This least rainy day has pushed the cumulative rainfall deficiency to 14 percent. The remaining three days of the month will see less Monsoon rains, which may further increase the cumulative rainfall deficiency that may go closer to 15 percent. However, the rainfall figures are expected to be better than 0.8 mm.
Image Credit: thehindu.com
