Delhi records 15% more rain this monsoon
The robust monsoon has already brought more rain to Delhi this month than is expected in the whole rainy season that ends in September.
The robust monsoon has already brought more rain to Delhi in August than is expected in the whole rainy season that ends in September.
Tuesday's rainfall saw the total rain tab reach 745.2 mm in the season against the average rainfall figure of 648.9 mm. This is almost 15% above average -- that too with more than a month left for the monsoon season to end.
The heavy August rainfall, combined with the very heavy showers seen in mid-June, is responsible for the phenomenon. The city has seen 285.2 mm of rain in August already. The average is 253.4 mm and there are still 10 days left in the month.
The records, meanwhile, indicate that this has been happening regularly for the past decade. Since 2003, August has seen above average rainfall in 2012, 2010, 2008 and 2004.
The heaviest rain in the last decade was seen in 2010 when the city received 455.1 mm of rainfall in August. The all-time record for the heaviest rain in August is from 1961; 583.3 mm rain was recorded.
"Heavy August rains are becoming more and more common. We noticed a trend in the last decade where the first half of July sees very little rain and picks up towards August. While rainfall is expected to go down in the coming week, we may just see 2010's August record breaking," said a senior Met official.
The Met department had, in fact, indicated in June itself that the monsoon was expected to be above normal this year. The monsoon had covered the entire country by June 16 this year, the first time since records have been maintained.
According to the weatherman, the city is expected to see more rain in the coming two days.