The India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Tuesday said that India received 27 per cent more rainfall than normal in August, the fourth highest amount in the last 120 years. This is due to formation of five low pressure areas in Bay of Bengal in August which led to heavy to moderate rainfall across India.
The August of 1926 saw 33 per cent more rainfall than normal, the highest precipitation recorded so far in the month; 1976 recorded 28.4 per cent more rainfall than normal, while the August of 1973 recorded 27.8 per cent than normal. This year saw 27 per cent rainfall.
The IMD had predicted that August was likely to receive rainfall that is 97 per cent of the LPA with an error margin of plus/minus nine per cent.
The overall rainfall recorded in India from June 1 to August 31 was 9 per cent more than normal. It has recorded 784.8 mm rainfall as against the normal of 716.9 mm so far.
According to the IMD, This is also one of the rainiest months of August recorded. “Rainfall recorded in August 2020 is the fourth highest in the last 120 years and highest in 44 years. August has recorded 27 per cent more rainfall than normal, “ IMD’s scientist RK Jenamani said. The official rainfall season in the country is from June 1 to September 30. Jenamani said five low pressure areas formed over Bay of Bengal brought heavy rains over central and north India. Of the five, four developed into a well-marked low pressure area.
In its forecast for August last month, the IMD had predicted rainfall of 97 per cent of the Long Period Average (LPA) with an error margin of plus or minus 9 per cent. Monsoon in the range of 96-104 per cent of the LPA is considered normal.
According to the IMD, the first low pressure area formed between August 4 and 10 off the Odisha coast.