Monsoon retreat begins; 43% of country remains rain deficient, Pg7

Key Highlights:

• The Southwest Monsoon has commenced its retreat from parts of West Rajasthan, aligning closely with its climatological normal date of September 17.
• Nearly 43% of India's geographical area is currently experiencing a rain deficit.
• States such as Meghalaya, Andhra Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, and Bihar are among those most severely affected by rainfall deficiency.
• A new low-pressure system has developed over the North Andaman Sea, projected to intensify into a deep depression and make landfall around September 23 on the south Odisha-north Andhra Pradesh coasts.

Monsoon Update.jpg

Detailed Insights:

• The India Meteorological Department (IMD) confirmed the monsoon withdrawal from specific areas including Ramgarh, Mohangarh, Phalodi, and Khajuwala in Rajasthan.
• Rajasthan and Punjab are anticipated to conclude the monsoon season with a significant rainfall deficit ranging from 21-40%.
• Seasonal rainfall remained below normal during June, August, and September, with July recording only a marginal 1% above normal.
• The country-wide rainfall until September 19 stood at 695.6mm, which is 15% below the normal average.
• The intensifying low-pressure system is expected to bring moderate to heavy rainfall to Odisha, Gangetic West Bengal, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Sikkim, and coastal Andhra Pradesh.

Scientific/Technical Concepts Involved:

• Southwest Monsoon: A seasonal wind system bringing significant rainfall to the Indian subcontinent from June to September, vital for agriculture.
• Climatological Normal: The long-term average of a weather parameter for a specific period, used as a benchmark for comparison.
• Low-pressure system: An atmospheric region where pressure is lower than its surroundings, typically associated with cloudiness and precipitation.
• Depression/Deep Depression: Stages of intensification of a low-pressure system, characterized by increasing wind speeds and organized circulation, preceding a cyclonic storm.