Chandigarh records 29 pc deficit rainfall this monsoon

Sandeep Rana

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, September 30

Even as the city witnessed 19 per cent more than normal rainfall in September, the four-month monsoon season has been 29 per cent rain deficit.

According to the Chandigarh Meteorological Department, the normal rainfall (June to September) in monsoon is 847 mm while the city recorded only 600.2 mm of rainfall during these months this year.

It was only September that saw 19% more rainfall than normal. The rainfall in June, July and August was 8%, 48% and 44% less than normal, respectively.

Manmohan Singh, Director, Meteorological Department, said, “Low pressure systems are formed in the Bay of Bengal and move towards the West. This time its formation was less. Even when it was formed, its impact was more in western Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. The formation did not move ahead as it was not strong.”

The weathermen, however, said the overall rainfall in Punjab was normal and above normal in Haryana. Even hilly areas like HP saw good amount of rainfall.

Meanwhile, the city today saw 4.4-mm rainfall. The next two days are expected to see light rain.

Withdrawal of monsoon expected around Oct 6

The monsoon, which started on June 13, is expected to withdraw around October 6.

“In current weather scenario, drastic reduction in moisture and absence of rainfall over extreme northwestern parts of India is very likely. Thus, conditions are likely to be favourable for the commencement of withdrawal of the southwest monsoon from some parts of northwest India from around October 6,” said Met Director Manmohan Singh.