At 1,091mm, Harnai in Ratnagiri got the most rain in Maharashtra this June

The annual average for Harnai is at par with the monthly average rain for June at Mawsynram in Meghalaya (2348mm), which has the highest rainfall in the world, according to the Guinness World records

With 1,091mm since June 1, Harnai, a village in Maharashtra’s Ratnagiri district, has received maximum amount of rain in the state. The amount of rain is almost half the village’s annual average rain since June 1 and twice its monthly average for June.

According to the weather department, the annual average rainfall for Harnai is 2,348 mm and the mean total for June is 620mm. (HT)

According to the weather department, the annual average rainfall for Harnai is 2,348 mm and the mean total for June is 620mm.

Harnai is followed by Mahabaleshwar at 698 mm. The annual average for Harnai is at par with the monthly average rain for June at Mawsynram in Meghalaya (2348mm), which has the highest rainfall in the world, according to the Guinness World records and records 9,000mm plus as the annual average.

The amount of rain is almost half the village’s annual average rain since June 1 and twice its monthly average for June.

The weather bureau identified three main factors for heavy rain in Harnai. “The southwest monsoon, two weather systems – an off-shore trough (low pressure area that pulls moisture) all the way from south Gujarat to Kerala and a mid-level circulation (weather depression) north of the Konkan coast led to the heavy rain,” said Dr KJ Ramesh, director general, meteorology, India Meteorological Department (IMD). “Although the entire west coast should get excess rain, some locations like Harnai will get surplus owing to its location and current weather factors.”

“There has been extremely heavy rain over the past eight days and the local collector’s office has asked us to not venture into the sea because of strong winds,” said N Varadkar, local fisherman. “We ensure our catch is sufficient by second-last week of May, so that we do not face problems during the monsoon.”

The weather department has predicted widespread heavy rain, which means 76-100% rain at most weather stations in the area, for the entire Konkan coast, for the rest of the week. “Coastal areas like Harnai, which were not active with regard to rainfall up till June 12 this year, have been extremely active in terms of reporting rain over the last one week. These coastal stations have a tendency to record very high amount of rain with levels above 200mm in 24 hours, which is normal for these areas,” said KS Hosalikar, deputy director general, western region, IMD.

Last year on June 24, Harnai had recorded its second highest rainfall in 24 hours at 361.6mm.

Last year on June 24, Harnai had recorded its second highest rainfall in 24 hours at 361.6mm. The all-time high 24-hour rain was recorded in 1985 at 436.5mm. Between Sunday night and Monday morning alone, Harnai recorded 134 mm. “The levels are expected to be much more over the course of the monsoon in the coming months,” said Hosalikar.

Under the weather department’s classification, 15.6mm to 64.4mm of rain is considered ‘moderate’, 64.5mm to 115.5mm is ‘heavy’, 115.6mm to 204.4mm is ‘very heavy’ and more than 204.5mm is ‘extreme’.