PUNE: Central India, which includes Maharashtra, has received 52 per cent deficient rainfall between July 6 and July 12 as compared to the average rainfall for this period. The actual rainfall during this time was 34.1 mm while the average normal rainfall is 70.7 mm, as per data provided by the India Meteorological Department (IMD).
From June 1 to July 12, central India recorded 9 per cent deficient rainfall as compared to the long range forecast predicted by the IMD.
Speaking about the rainfall across the State and nation, AK Srivastava, Head of Climate Monitoring and Analysis Group at IMD Pune, said the overall rainfall is going to be close to what was predicted by the IMD earlier.
He said dry spells during the monsoon is a common phenomenon every year. “According to IMD’s definition, a day is rainy, only if the recorded rainfall is 2.5 mm or more. This year, we have observed that out of 122 days, there have been only 40 rainy days in the monsoon. The weather conditions so far are normal. The IMD prediction is for a month or four months, for a longer time period and is applicable to a larger region. So far, we have been continuously indicating that for a while, there were subdued monsoon conditions. However, after July 12, rainfall will pick the pace.
“Since then, we have been witnessing rainfall as predicted,” said Srivastava.
The IMD noted neutral El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO) condition is prevailing currently and a similar condition is likely to continue during next two weeks.
Between July 6 and July 12, overall rainfall across the country was 19 per cent less than predicted by the Long Period Average (LPA). The normal average for the country is 64.1 mm rainfall. However, 51.9 mm rainfall was received during these seven days highlighting the deficit.
Along with central India, the south peninsular region has also recorded a deficit rainfall of 45 per cent. However, the north-west regions of the country have received normal rainfall with four per cent excess rain.
However, regions in the east and northeast India have received 23 per cent excess rainfall between July 6 and July 12. The actual rainfall recorded in these areas has been 127.6 mm against the average rainfall of 103.6 mm.
MALSHEJ GHAT CLOSED FOR VEHICLES
Thane: The Malshej Ghat in Murbad taluka closed for vehicular traffic with immediate effect to avoid any mishaps, the district administration stated on Saturday. Aniruddha Ashtaputre, a spokesman for the district administration, told media persons that due to heavy rains since the last couple of days, the mud from the hillock was coming on the roads and there was every possibility of landslides in the stretch and hence, District Collector Mahendra Kalyankar has taken a decision to close the traffic on either side of the road. Usually, during the weekends in the monsoon, the ghats attract a large number of picnickers. The district has received a total of 8,688 mm of rainfall till date and this was 7,068 mm during last year for the same period.
UNI