Odisha witnesses sixth worst rain deficit situation in over a century

Bhubaneswar: In what could be seen as a major consequence of global warming and climate change, Odisha witnessed monsoon rain deficit by 29 per cent between June 1 and August 31, which is sixth worst over in over a century.

During the period, Odisha received cumulative 661.1 mm rainfall against its normal value of 935.8 mm leading to drought-like situation in the state. This is the sixth occasion in last 120 years, when the southwest monsoon rainfall has been deficient by 20 % or more, said the India Meteorological Department (IMD) Regional Centre here.

The previous years that had recorded deficit rainfall by 29% or more are: 1924 (636.2 mm), 1954 (646.8 mm), 1974 ( 658.7 mm), 1987 (641.4 mm) and 1998 (657.5 mm).

“The seasonal deficiency is mainly due to large deficit in August  rainfall. Cumulative total rainfall realised over Odisha during August is 204.9 mm as against its normal value 366.4 mm (44 % deficient). Previously, the August month rainfall was less than 204.9 mm in the years 1965 (187.3 mm), 1987 (190.3 mm) and 1998 (203.5 mm) during the last 120 years,” the MeT Centre informed.

In August, only four out of the 30 districts received normal rainfall while 18 districts were under deficient category. Eight districts: Boudh (-75%), Sambalpur and Sonepur (-68%), Angul and Balangir (-63%), Kandhamal (-62%), Bargarh and Jajpur (-61%) were under large deficient category.

“Apparently, absence of monsoon depression and less number of monsoon lows (only two observed) over Bay of Bengal in August causes less amount of rainfall. Most of the days, the monsoon trough located north of its normal position, which also causes subdued monsoon activities,” the weathermen stated.

However, the IMD predicted that the state would receive normal rainfall in September, the final month of monsoon season.

“The rainfall averaged over the country as a whole during September is most likely to be above normal Considering the expected above normal rainfall activity, the current deficiency of 9% in seasonal rainfall between June and August is very likely to reduce and accumulated seasonal rainfall between June 1 and September 30 is very likely to be around lower end of the normal,” informed IMD DG Mrutyunjay Mohapatra.

“The forecast suggests that above normal to normal rainfall is likely over many areas of central India in September. Similarly, normal to below normal rainfall is most likely over many areas of northwest and northeast India and southern parts of peninsular India,” he added.

(Note: This story is a part of ‘Punascha Pruthibi – One Earth. Unite for It’, an awareness campaign by Sambad Digital)