Finally, heavy rain in Vidarbha, a record high for Yavatmal

Vidarbha breathed a sigh of relief on Wednesday, after the region received heavy rainfall between Tuesday and Wednesday.

Vidarbha breathed a sigh of relief on Wednesday, after the region received heavy rainfall between Tuesday and Wednesday.

According to India Meteorological Department’s (IMD) 24-hour rainfall data, Yavatmal, one of the drought-prone regions of Maharashtra, recorded 223mm of rain, which is an all-time high. The earlier record was 171.1mm, observed on August 5, 1981. Between 8.30am on Tuesday and 8.30am on Wednesday, areas such as Akola, Amravati, Buldhana, Nagpur and Wardha recorded 185mm, 184mm, 165mm, 78mm and 105mm of rainfall respectively.

Rainfall in Marathwada was significantly lesser, with areas such as Aurangabad, Nanded and Parbhani recording 45mm, 15mm and 22mm of rain respectively.

GP Sharma, vice-president, meteorology, Skymet, a weather prediction service, said, “Because of the depression that later reduced to well-marked low pressure over southern Madhya Pradesh (MP), areas such as the south-western half of MP, Vidarbha, Marathwada and Madhya Maharashtra received good rainfall. The westerly winds bringing in moisture contributed to the rain.” Sharma said the quantum of rain, however, will soon reduce as the systems are slowly fading away. “Mumbai and the Konkan coast can expect light to moderate showers over the next two days,” he said.

Meanwhile, dense clouds and sporadic spells of heavy rain ensured south Mumbai and the suburbs recorded 2.6mm and 1.7mm till 8.30pm on Wednesday. With an increase in rain, day temperatures fell in Colaba and Santacruz to 28.6 degrees Celsius, 1.2 degrees Celsius below normal and 29.3 degrees Celsius, 0.6 degree Celsius below normal, respectively.

Humidity levels shot up to 95% in south Mumbai, owing to increase in the moisture deposited by the westerly winds from the Arabian Sea. The suburbs recorded normal levels of humidity at 79%.