August 2020 has measured a record excess of 26.6% rains saving the season from the blues of disaster. This is the highest rainfall in the month of August since 1973 when the tally was a shade higher at 27%. The surplus rains have not only compensated deficit July, it has gone beyond to take the season to a possible ‘Excess’. The exclusive feature of the month includes a recording of above-average rainfall on a daily basis for 25 days. This includes an excess of 50% rain on 10 days with the highest score of 97% on 21st August.
July and August are the core monsoon accounting for nearly 65% of seasonal rainfall. The underperformance of any of these months leaves anxious moments for the season and invariably becomes difficult to cover. Defying the assumptions, the month of August not only filled the deficiency but went on to record the highest rainfall in the last 47 years. It has narrowly missed the record of 1973 and therefore is quite comparable to the highest of the last 87 years. The highest ever rainfall in the last 100 years during August was recorded in 1926 with a surplus of 33.7%. There have been 10 occasions since then, wherein the rainfall has been in excess of 20%.
The month of August is susceptible to ‘Break’ in monsoon and courtesy absence of this feature, the tally could reach a record high. Also, there were five low pressure areas forming over the Bay of Bengal in quick succession saturating central parts to the extent of causing deluge. The season is poised to record ‘Above Normal’ rainfall and even stands a chance to score ‘Excess’, a feat last seen way back in 1994.
