Uttarakhand received 43.9 mm rainfall as against the normal of 80.2 mm, showing a minimum of 45 per cent deficient rains during this season as compared to normal. This rainfall was received between January 1 and February 15, 2017. All the 13 districts of the state have received below par rainfall during the current winter season starting from January 1.
According to the Meteorological centre director Bikram Singh, the winter in the state spans over two months- January and February. The three months from October to December are categorised as post-monsoon season.
Singh said that this year, the Chamoli district received 41.6 mm rainfall which is the maximum in the state as against the normal of 95.1 mm, showing an deficiency of about 56 per cent rainfall.
Udham Singh Nagar received 33.3 mm rainfall as against the normal of 41.2 mm, showing a minimum of 19 per cent deficient rains compared to the normal.
Dehradun district received 49.9 mm rainfall as against the normal of 76.9 mm, showing 35 per cent deficient rains than normal, said Singh.
He further informed that Rudraprayag district received 38.5 mm rainfall as against the normal of 113.6 mm, showing 66 per cent deficient rains.
Almora district received 30.6 mm rainfall as against the normal of 72.1 mm, showing 58 per cent deficient rains.
Bageshwar district received 14.8 mm rainfall as against the normal of 72.1 mm, showing 79 per cent deficient rains.
Champawat district received 32 mm rainfall compared to the the normal of 63.9 mm, showing 50 per cent deficient rains. The Pauri district received 35.4 mm rainfall as against the normal of 61.7 mm, showing 43 per cent deficient rains. Nainital received 52.4 mm rainfall as against the normal of 69.2 mm, showing 24 per cent deficient rains.
Observers point out that the deficient rainfall could be considered as one of the impacts of global warming along with regional factors which influence the weather.
The deficient rain might create a major problem for farmers especially in the mountainous regions where irrigation facilities are limited due to which the agricultural activities are dependent on rainfall and the natural sources of water recharged by rains.