Weak monsoon pushes city rain deficit to 42%

The rain deficit in Mumbai increased to 41.92% as the city received scanty rainfall on Sunday.

The rain deficit in Mumbai increased to 41.92% as the city received scanty rainfall on Sunday.

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According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), till Sunday the deficit in rainfall since the onset date of June 1 rose to 436mm in south Mumbai. The shortfall in the suburbs was comparatively less at 213mm.

So far, the city has received an average rainfall of 449.95mm, whereas it should have been around 774.8mm. Hence, the deficit is 324.85mm.

With the weather bureau predicting occasional showers in certain parts of the city in the next two days, the deficit is likely to increase. “Mumbai usually witnesses heavy rains in July. We are expecting that the deficit will be covered by month-end,” said NY Apte, deputy director general, western region, IMD. “Based on a preliminary analysis of present weather patterns, the city is likely to receive steady spells of rainfall from August 10.”

According to IMD officials, Colaba recorded 178mm rain and Santacruz received 305.7mm in June, which is lower than last year when Colaba recorded 461mm and Santacruz 662mm.

On Sunday, the island city received 8.8mm rain between 8:30am and 5:30pm, while the suburbs received 3mm.