Rain shortfall now 50 pc in State

DELAYED MONSOON has shown its effect in the State with most of the districts receiving rains well short of the average by first week of July. Overall, the State has received 46 per cent less rain than expected during the period between June 1 and July 6. As against average expected rain of 182.8 mm across the State, only 98.9 mm of rain has been received.

DELAYED MONSOON has shown its effect in the State with most of the districts receiving rains well short of the average by first week of July. Overall, the State has received 46 per cent less rain than expected during the period between June 1 and July 6. As against average expected rain of 182.8 mm across the State, only 98.9 mm of rain has been received.

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Regional Meteorological Centre Director Dr D P Dubey however said that there is no reason to panic at this stage, because it is yet quite early in the rainy season. “If proper weather systems develop from now on, the shortfall would be more or less wiped off,” he said.

As per the data available from the Regional Meteorological office, Eastern Madhya Pradesh is 58 per cent short of average rains (88.8 mm against 213 mm expected) while Western Madhya Pradesh is 33 per cent short (106.8 mm against 159.1 mm), during the same period.

However, the two districts of Gwalior and Mandsaur that received very heavy rains during short period last week, paint a picture that is drastically different from rest of the state. Gwalior has received 71 per cent more rains than expected till now this season while Mandsaur has received 58 per cent excess rains.

The only other two districts with positive trend are Neemuch and Ujjain with 10 per cent and four per cent excess rains respectively. The worst-hit districts as of now are Damoh with 93 per cent shortfall, Tikamgarh with 87 per cent shortfall, Harda with 82 per cent shortfall, Mandla – 79 pc, Dindori – 78 pc, Vidisha – 77 pc, Rewa – 73 pc, Chhatarpur – 72 pc and so on. At least 12 other districts are presently having more than 50 per cent shortfall of rains.

Capital Bhopal is better off, with only 33 per cent shortfall. The scenario was very much expected with the monsoon striking the State as much as 16 days late (it struck on June 29, as against the normal date of June 13).

Also, after the official strike of monsoon, there has been not any major phase of rainfall, except the rains experienced during the last two three days.  Dr Dubey said that the season has started a bit poorly, but there is not a big reason to worry yet. July and August are the main months of rainfall in the region and if during these two months enough rain is recorded, the shortfall being felt now could be easily wiped out.

Only isolated rains for now
FOR THE next three or four days, only isolated rains is expected in the State, with the system that was giving rains during last two three days having weakened and moving over. Dr Dubey said that at present no system is developing on either coast, though there are indications that a system might start developing in 3-4 days. “The next phase of good rains could be expected only after July 11/12,” he said.

Bhopal received some rains on Thursday evening, though the day remained almost entirely dry. Some rains were experienced at Bairagarh though and the Met office recorded 0.4 mm of rain by 5.30 pm. Rains were received in some other parts of the State too. During the last 24 hours ending 8.30 am on Thursday, Balaghat, Dewas, Kannod, Tonk Khurd, Indore and Bhopal all recorded one cm of rains each.

The continuing rainfall from the last few days has affected the weather of the State, which has become quite pleasant. Bhopal recorded a very comfortable maximum of 28.2 degrees – four degrees below normal, on Thursday. Indore also recorded 28.2 degrees, Gwalior – 31.9 and Jabalpur – 32.0 degrees.