INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
raised the threat of the season (June-September) ending in deficient rainfall.With two days of the month to go, countrywide rainfall in
August stood at 160.3mm on Tuesday against a normal of 241mm, 33% below normal.The driest month of August was recorded in 2005, when 191.2mm
of rain was logged, 25% below normal
countrywide rainfall deficit on Tuesday rose to 9%, close to the deficient zone (also known as drought year) of over 10% shortfall in the
chief.To put the poor rainfall in August this year in perspective, this will be only the second time in 105 years that the monsoon in July
or August will be 30% or more below normal
The only time during this period when a higher monthly deficit was recorded was in 2002 when July logged a shortfall of 50.6%
July and August are the two wettest months of the year and the most crucial ones for agriculture.Ironically, the sharp downturn came after
an above-par monsoon performance in July, when the country recorded an average of 315.9mm of rain, 13% above normal and the second highest
positive as expected in August
Another factor that can cause good rain, the Madden-Julian Oscillation (MJO), was not in a favourable phase through the month
Finally, we had just two cyclones over the South China Sea against a normal of four-five during this period
monsoon in August, with the deficit of 6% to 10%, which proved to be quite off the mark.Rainfall in September is likely to be better than in
of travelling across the breadth of the country
secretary of the Union earth sciences ministry.Rajeevan said the 20 break days in August (counting two in the next two days) are likely to
be the highest ever for August
