mumbai

Updated: Oct 01, 2017 21:47 IST

Mumbai received 23% more rain between June to September — the official period for the city’s monsoon — than the average.

Between June 1 and September 30, the city recorded 2,946.3mm rainfall against its annual average of 2,258mm. According to the weather bureau, the Santacruz weather station [for suburbs] recorded 24% excess rainfall over the past four months while the Colaba weather station [south Mumbai] recorded 8.8% excess rainfall. Though the monsoon officially ended on September 30, its arrival and withdrawal have been delayed by a week or two.

In 2016, the city had recorded 2,894.5mm between June and September, 1,823.2mm in 2015, 2,299.8mm in 2014, 2432.9mm in 2013 and 1859.9mm in 2012.

Of Maharashtra’s 36 districts, 11 recorded deficient rainfall (10 districts from Vidarbha and one from Marathwada), 17 recorded normal rainfall and eight recorded more than their average June to September rain.

Of the four climatic subdivisions in the state, Konkan recorded 10% excess rainfall and central Maharashtra recorded 18% excess rain. Marathwada recorded 4% deficient rain, with Nanded having the least amount of rain in the district. Vidarbha recorded 23% deficient rainfall.

Officials from the weather bureau said India recorded a 5.2% deficient monsoon between June and September this year as compared to an above normal monsoon last year.

“In 2016 Maharashtra recorded normal to above normal rainfall. However, this year that is not the case as the Vidarbha district has many sub-divisions recording deficient rain. The remaining three sub divisions have done well,” said KS Hosalikar, deputy director general, western region, India Meteorological Department. “While June rainfall was good, the monsoon performance during July and the first two weeks of August was not good with longer periods of subdued monsoon activity. The recovery took place from August end and September that helped cover a large portion of the deficit.”

He added the withdrawal for the southwest monsoon over the state has been delayed. “Currently, the withdrawal is over north Gujarat. It is good that the withdrawal has been delayed since we can hope for some more rain in the first 10-12 days of October and bridge the deficit,” said Hosalikar.

In Mumbai, many records were broken this monsoon, with heavy rainfall events witnessed in short durations. HT had reported on September 21 that only six ‘very heavy’ to ‘extremely heavy’ rain days accounted for almost 40% of the total rain received by the city this monsoon season.

Rainfall recorded between June and September over the years

· 2012 – 1859.9mm

· 2013 – 2432.9mm

· 2014 – 2299.8mm

· 2015 – 1823.2mm

· 2016 – 2894.5mm

· 2017 – 2946.3mm

(Source: India Meteorological Department)