Rain deficit in the country has reduced to 3 per cent with heavy to very heavy rains being predicted in the north- west and other major parts of the country. The southern parts of the country are however facing a shortfall of 18 per cent. Nevertheless, the water storage capacity in 91 reservoirs of the country is at 45 per cent.
According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD,) the country as a whole has so far received 421.3 mm as against the normal of 434.8 mm. North West India has the highest surplus of 12 per cent rains. It has received 304. 6 mm of rainfall till July end in place of 272. 5 mm of normal rain. Central India on the other hand has near normal rains so far with 0 per cent deficit or surplus. North- East India is lagging behind with a deficit of 8 per cent. The Southern peninsula on the other hand has received the least rains in the country at 300.1 mm in place of the normal of 364.9mm so far. According to IMD, rainfall in the country during the week was 21 per cent above normal . While Central India this week had the highest surplus of 68 per cent, Southern states are reeling under 50 per cent shortfall in rains.
According to weather scientists, rain is attributed to three favourable systems viz. depression over Rajasthan, an offshore trough over Kerala and a depression over the Bay of Bengal. A cyclonic storm “Komen” lay
centred over northeast Bay of Bengal about 300 km east-southeast of Kolkata. A Western Disturbance as an upper air cyclonic circulation lies over Afghanistan and neighbourhood.
As a result of these weather systems, rain and thundershowers would occur at most places along western coast and major parts of Central India. The States of West Bengal, Rajasthan, Odisha and North Eastern States including Assam, Meghalaya and other North Eastern States would be lashed by rains. Western Himalayan region and parts of North-east India, besides eastern parts of the country would also receive rain.
Wind speed reaching 50- 60 kmph gusting to 70 kmph would prevail along and off West Bengal and coast of North Odisha. Sea conditions would be high over North Bay of Bengal till Friday. Fishermen have been advised not to venture into the sea along and off West Bengal and North Odisha coast .
Meanwhile, the storage capacity of 91 important reservoirs across the country stands at 70.707 Billion Cubic Metre (BCM) which is 45 per cent of total storage capacity. According to the official figures from the Ministry of Water Resources, this storage is 102 per cent of the storage of corresponding period of last year and 108 per cent of storage of average of last ten years.
