Despite a 'normal' monsoon, possibility of drought looms over 251 districts

In 11 states and UTs, including Meghalaya, Arunachal Pradesh, Jharkhand, Bihar, Gujarat and Tamil Nadu, 50% or more districts experienced deficient to "large deficient" rainfall, as per an analysis.

The possibility of a drought looms over 251 districts of India, mainly in the east, northeast and south, according to an IndiaSpend analysis of rainfall data for 2018.

Karnataka declared 23 out of its total 30 districts drought-hit due to deficient rainfall, and Andhra Pradesh announced that 274 blocks in six districts were ‘severe drought hit’. With Jaisalmer and Barmer districts getting less than 60% of normal rains, western Rajasthan is experiencing a dry spell after a decade. The Marathwada and Vidarbha regions of Maharashtra are faced with a drought-like situation.

With three days left for September 30, 2018, the official departure of the ongoing southwest monsoon, this year could likely be a “normal” monsoon year. The cumulative rainfall over the country over 117 days since the beginning of the monsoon on June 1, 2018, was -9% of the long term average, according to the latest weekly analysis of the India meteorological department (IMD) published on September 26, 2018. The rainfall was deficient or -10% by September 19, the preceding week.(Business Standard)

The southwest monsoon accounts for 70% of India’s annual rainfall and is important for its agricultural economy, which is valued at Rs 18 trillion ($250 billion in 2016), or 11% of its gross domestic product (GDP).

The IMD categorises monsoon rainfall as “deficient” at a state or a district level when it receives 20%-59% less rainfall than the long-term average and as "large deficient" when it is 60%-99% less. A deficient monsoon year is when the cumulative rainfall across the country remains -10% or above, once called an ‘All India Drought Year’.

Rainfall in 251 districts--nearly 37% of India’s districts--remained deficient to "large deficient" till the week ending September 26, 2018. In 11 states and union territories (UTs), including Meghalaya, Arunachal Pradesh, Jharkhand, Bihar, Gujarat and Tamil Nadu, 50% or more districts experienced deficient to "large deficient" rainfall, as per our analysis.

“Let us wait for the monsoon to end,” D Shivanand Pai, head of the climatic prediction group at the India Meteorological Department, Pune, told IndiaSpend. “Rainfall-deficient regions in the peninsula may receive more rainfall in the remaining days, which would improve over rainfall figures.”

If the overall rainfall nationwide drops by 1% more over the remaining three days of September 2018, it could likely be the sixth monsoon drought of the century, following 2002, 2004, 2009, 2014 and 2015....Read More

Heavy rains paralyse Mumbai, Kolkata; monsoon may hit UP by Thursday

Monsoon hit Supaul district of Bihar on Monday, triggering light to moderate rainfall in eastern and north-eastern parts of the state.

After a brief hiatus, south-west monsoon has regained steam across India. Various regions in the country, including Mumbai and Kolkata, received heavy rainfall on Monday.
According to reports, at least 11 people were killed in rain-related incidents in Mumbai and southern districts of Bengal alone.
The downpour led to waterlogging in several places of Mumbai and Kolkata, disrupting rail and road traffic for several hours in both the cities.
Traffic moved at snail's pace, office goers and school children were inconv enienced, and taxis fleeced commuters - all familiar scenes in rain-hit Kolkata and Mumbai.
Meanwhile, the monsoon hit Supaul district of Bihar on Monday, triggering light to moderate rainfall in eastern and north-eastern parts of the state.
The rain-bearing winds are likely to advance towards the other parts of Bihar in the next 48 hours, the Met department said on Monday.
According to a weather bulletin released by India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Tuesday, conditions are becoming favourable for advancement of monsoon into Uttar Pradesh and south-east Rajasthan in the next 48 hours.
How heavy rains affected Mumbai and Kolkata:
Mumbai: Torrential rains clobbered large areas of Mumbai and other parts of Maharashtra, claiming at least five lives in rain-related incidents, officials said on Monday.
Heavy rains lashed the city and Thane district throughout Sunday night continued till, causing water-logging at several places and slowing the movement of suburban trains.



Kolkata: Five persons died in lightning strikes and one drowned as heavy monsoon showers left various areas of the metropolis and the southern Bengal districts waterlogged on Monday.
A Met department bulletin on Monday warned of "heavy to very heavy rainfall (7-20 cm)" in most places of Darjeeling, Kalimpong, Jalpaiguri, Cooch Behar and Alipurduar districts from June 25 June 29, "caused by an upper air cyclonic circulation over West Assam and sub-Himalayan West Bengal".
It said several south Bengal districts would also be affected by incessant rainfall over the next three days and issued an alert for North 24 Parganas and South 24 Parganas and East Midnapore districts.

Cyclone Mekunu hits coastal Karnataka, and cause heavy rain in Mangalore

National Weather Forecasting Centre has predicted heavy rains in Kerala and the coastal Karnataka region from May 29 to June 2.

Several houses were damaged and at least 12 people were injured as Cyclone Mekunu , which had wreaked havoc in Oman in Yemen over the weekend, hit the coastal Karnataka region on Tuesday, resulting in .

Mangaluru and Udupi were the worst affected, with reports of property loss and waterlogging coming from several areas.

Here are the top updates on rains in coastal Karnataka:

1. Heavy rains are expected in Kerala and the coastal Karnataka region from May 29 to June 2, according to the National Weather Forecasting Centre predictions.

2. Schools in Karnataka will remain closed for the next two days in view of the rain forecast.

3. As many as 12 people have been injured, according to Dakshina Kannada Deputy Commissioner Saisikanth Senthil. Mangaluru was one of the most affected with at least 52 houses there being damaged in the rains, according to media reports. Five rehabilitation centres have been opened and compensation for the injured will be announced on Wednesday, ANI reported.

4. Prime Minister Narendra Modi took cognizance of the matter and said that all assistance would be provided for those affected in the rains. "I pray for the safety and well-being of all those affected by heavy rains in various parts of Karnataka. Have spoken to officials and asked them to ensure all possible assistance in the affected areas," he tweeted.

5. The Home Minister's office also took note of the matter and said that the MHA was in constant touch with the officials and all necessary assistance was being provided.

"HM Shri @rajnathsingh has reviewed the situation in Mangaluru and other areas after the reports of heavy rains in coastal Karnataka. He has asked the Home Secretary to rush more NDRF teams to Mangaluru if required. MHA is closely monitoring the situation in coastal Karnataka," the Home Ministry tweeted.

6. Karnataka Chief Minister, H D Kumaraswamy also took stock of the situtaion and directed the Deputy Commissioner to take assistance from the coast guard to rescue people. He also directed the deputy commissioner to take all the precautionary steps to prevent severe damage and loss of lives.

7. Civic bodies have taken the help of social media to advise commuters to avoid several places clogged with rainwater to avoid traffic jams. Ballalbagh, Padil, Jyothi, Mallikatte are some of the places which the motorists are being advised to avoid.