NEW DELHI: India is likely to experience above normal rainfall, accompanied with above normal maximum temperature in September, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said. IMD Director General Mrutyunjay Mohapatra said the country was expected to receive 109% of the long-period average for September, which is 167.9 mm.
“Above normal rainfall is likely over most parts of India, except for some areas in extreme northwest India, many parts of the southern peninsula, northern Bihar and northeastern Uttar Pradesh, as well as most of northeast India, where below normal rainfall is expected,” the IMD said.
According to the met department’s forecast, there is a possibility of heavy to very heavy rainfall in Punjab, Delhi, Uttarakhand, parts of Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Rajasthan and north-west areas of Madhya Pradesh in September.
“There could be episodes of extremely heavy rainfall in these areas, potentially leading to floods. We should remain cautious of landslides, mudslides and landslips,” Mohapatra said. He said low-pressure system developing over the Bay of Bengal would result in significant rainfall across the country. “Low-pressure system will develop in the Bay of Bengal, which may travel towards west-northwest up to Rajasthan,” Mohapatra said.
The above normal rainfall during September could threaten crops which are at an advanced stage of harvest. Crops like rice, cotton, soybean, corn, and pulses are typically harvested from mid-September. The monsoon begins in June and starts retreating from northwestern region by mid-September and ends across the country by October.
The IMD also said India had experienced significantly above-average rainfall in August, recording about 16% more than usual. It received 287.1 mm of rainfall last month, compared to the normal 248.1 mm rain. Rainfall during August was fifth highest since 2001.
Kerala, the Vidarbha area of Maharashtra and many northeastern states faced deficient rainfall in August.