The months of December, January, and February are the main winter months for India. Moreover, the month of January holds significant importance as far as rains are concerned. The most amount of rainfall is observed during this month itself.
However, January 2018 has not fared well at all in terms of rain over the country. In terms of rainfall distribution, 42 percent of the country has not received any rain, with 53 percent being largely deficient while 5 percent of the nation has observed rainfall deficiency.
The only region to have witnessed surplus rains is the Bay Islands. In fact, the Islands have recorded 212 percent of their normal rains.
Reason for no rains: Rainfall activity during this period are governed by the Western Disturbances that affect the Western Himalayas and their induced cyclonic circulations which give rains over the Plains. During the month of January, both these systems become even more frequent.
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However, this year, only one active Western Disturbance and one significant induced system was observed which is why such high rainfall deficiency was observed.
Let us look at the table below which showcases the actual and cumulative rainfall along with the rainfall surplus/deficiency in the past seven years
Looking at the table below, 2011 was the year with the most amount of rain deficiency at 64 percent. However, during that time, Kerala had recorded excess rains which was the saving grace along with the hills where good rains were witnessed. However, the Plains of North and Central India had remained dry.
Meanwhile, in January 2018, there was not even a single division which recorded normal rains. The entire Northwest and Central India remained dry with no significant rains whatsoever. Even for the hills, all the three states observed a deficiency of 90 percent. As far as South India is concerned, it failed miserably.
Thus, January 2018 was a month wherein rainfall activity remained at its least resulting in a large deficiency for the entire country.
Image Credit: Business Line
Please Note: Any information picked from here must be attributed to skymetweather.com