PUNE: At least 22 districts in Maharashtra ended the southwest monsoon season with rainfall deficits of 30% to 59%, raising the alarm of water scarcity in the coming months even as the state recorded an overall rainfall deficit of 19% and remained in the India Meteorological Department’s normal rainfall category. The IMD considered rainfall data between June 1 to September 30.
However, the state’s seasonal total masks substantial district-level variations, with intense spells of rain in some areas offsetting prolonged dry periods elsewhere. September was particularly dry. The sharpest deficit was recorded in Solapur, where rainfall was 59% below normal. The district received 190 mm against its normal 458.1 mm from June 1-September 30. The rainfall distribution was particularly poor in Marathwada and Vidarbha, which recorded deficits of 39% and 27% respectively. Konkan and central Maharashtra were in the normal rainfall category despite deficits of 15% and 7%, respectively While both divisions remained in the large-deficit category. Maharashtra received 802.6 mm of rainfall during the four-month monsoon season, against the normal 990.7 mm, resulting in a 19% deficit. The state received only 85.2 mm of rainfall during the month, against the normal 176.5 mm, resulting in a 52% deficit.
The monsoon arrived over parts of Maharashtra relatively early in June, but its advance slowed during the middle of the month before progressing further later in June. Rainfall activity intensified in July, followed by alternating active spells and subdued rainfall in August and September. Four low-pressure systems formed over the Bay of Bengal during the month, with two intensifying into depressions and bringing widespread rainfall to east-central and west-central India, including Maharashtra.
July recorded 24 low-pressure-system days, against the normal 13.5 days. Pune city received 736.2 mm of rainfall during the June-September southwest monsoon, but more than half of the season’s rainfall was concentrated in just seven days. Around 53% of the season’s rainfall in Shivajinagar was recorded between July 3 and 9, according to IMD data. July alone accounted for 523.6 mm, or about 71% of the season’s total.
Director general, IMD, multiple low-pressure systems contributed to the unusually wet conditions in July, according to Mrutyunjay Mohapatra.
