The meteorological centre figures clearly indicate that the State has been experiencing average deficient rainfall for the past two years. Uttarakhand has experienced overall rainfall measuring 829.0 mm against normal rainfall of 1022.1 mm (showing departure minus 19 per cent) till August 31 this year. Uttarakhand has received average deficient rainfall so far.
U’khand Meteorological Centre director Bikram Singh said that in 2014, the State had received 789.8 mm rainfall against the normal rainfall of 1229.2 mm (showing departure minus 23 per cent) by August 31. This year, the State has received 829.2 mm of rainfall against the normal rainfall of 1229.2 (showing departure minus 19 per cent). Stating that the same trend is continuing, he said that the State has received 837.1 mm of rainfall against the normal of 1061.5 (showing departure minus 21 per cent) by Sept 4.
However, the trend is prevailing across the country with minus 12 per cent deficient rainfall having been recorded across the country, he added.
A variation of minus 19 per cent to plus 19 per cent is a normal phenomenon while a shortfall ranging from minus 20 per cent to minus 59 per cent is called deficient.
Things, however, vary from region to region. While Chamoli district, for instance, recorded the maximum 886.7 mm rainfall against normal rainfall of 752.1 mm which is 18 per cent more than the normal volume Pithoragarh received the minimum rainfall of 766.9 mm against the normal rainfall of 1451.8, marking minus 47 per cent deficient by September 4.
The data compiled by the Met office revealed that Almora district recorded 613.8 mm rainfall against normal rainfall of 732.5 mm (minus 16 per cent deficient). Dehradun district on its part received 1219.9 mm rainfall against normal rainfall of 1588 mm (minus 23) while the figure for Pauri is 742.9 mm against normal rainfall of 1060 (minus 30 per cent deficient).
Tehri received 546 mm against normal rainfall of 912.7 mm (minus 40 per cent deficient), Haridwar 728.2 mm against normal rainfall of 840.8 mm (minus 13 per cent deficient), Nainital, 1210.9 mm against normal rainfall of 1226.9 mm (minus 1 per cent), Bageshwar 772.7 mm against normal rainfall of 732.5 mm (plus 5 per cent), Chamoli 886.7 mm against normal rainfall of 752.1 mm (plus 15 per cent), Champawat 1000.5 mm against normal rainfall of 1126.9 mm (minus 11 per cent), Rudraprayag 967.4 mm against normal rainfall of 1484.7 mm (minus 35 per cent), Udham Singh Nagar 671.1 mm against normal rainfall of 947.8 mm (minus 29 per cent) and Uttarkashi 818.8 mm against normal rainfall of 973.5 mm (minus 16 per cent). He said the withdrawal of monsoon has started from western part of Rajasthan from Friday, indicating the gradual closing of the rainy season.
The duration of monsoon season in the State is for four months from June 1 to September 30, he added.