Between June 1 and August 24, the country as a whole has received 647.5mm rainfall or 72.7 per cent of the average seasonal rainfall of 890mm
With three quarters of monsoon rainfall is nearly over, cumulative seasonal rainfall in the country stands at 2 % below the long-period average and there are little signs of a lull in the monsoon. Between June 1 and August 24, the country as a whole has received 647.5mm rainfall or 72.7 % of the average seasonal rainfall of 890mm. Since the onset of monsoon, Central India has recorded seven % above normal rainfall, which is the maximum while Northwest India has received rainfall five % above normal. The Eastern and Northeastern regions have recorded the worst seasonal rainfall deficit with 16 % below normal rains.
According to the India Meteorological Department, east Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh saw extremely heavy rainfall, more than 200mm in a 24-hour period. The incessant downpour in a short period triggered floods in both states and the excess dam waters released from Bansagar dam in Madhya Pradesh also caused Sone river in Bihar to contribute to unprecedented floods in Ganga. The inundation has killed more than 25 people in Bihar alone and even cities like Varanasi and Allahabad are marooned.
Weathermen from IMD said that the formation a low-pressure area and a deep depression, which passed through Central India towards Northwest was the reason behind incessant rainfall in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand. "These weather conditions have been prevailing for a while and they have taken away the moisture from southern and certain western parts of the country," said PK Nandankar, Scientist, Weather Forecast Development Division, IMD Pune.
Nandankar added that in the remaining days of August, there will enough rainfall, nearing the IMD forecast for August. "There will be a minor lull before monsoon picks up again. Currently, August rainfall has been 103 % of long-period average and we had predicted 104 % of LPA," added Nandankar.
In its forecast for the next two weeks, the IMD has said that above normal rainfall activity is likely over many parts of Northwest India till September 3. In Peninsular India, normal to above normal rainfall activity is likely on many days till September 13.
An upper air cyclonic circulation lies over west central Bay of Bengal off Andhra Pradesh coast between 1.5 and 5.8km above mean sea levels. Under its influence, a low pressure area is likely to develop over west central Bay of Bengal and neighbourhood during next 24 hours. Seas surface temperatures are continues to be near normal over Eastern and Central equatorial Pacific Ocean, thus indicating neutral and favourable conditions. The IMD has said that normal to above normal rainfall activity likely over many parts of Northwest India till September 3. In Peninsular India, normal to above normal rainfall activity likely on many days till September 13.
Bihar flood toll rises to 135
With reports of eight fresh deaths on Thursday, the total toll in Bihar flood increased to 135, with Bhojpur district accounting for 12 deaths in the second round of floods due to the swollen Ganga.
The flood, caused by a spate in the Ganga, Sone, Punpun, Burhi Gandak, Ghaghra, Kosi and other rivers, has affected 31.33 lakh people in 1,934 villages in 12 districts, a disaster management department statement said. After Bhojpur district, the maximum number of deaths in the second round of floods in the state were reported from Vaishali (7), Samastipur (6), Saran (5), Bhagalpur and Khagaria two each and Buxar, Lakhisarai and Munger one each. The Ganga was flowing above the danger mark at seven places in various parts of four districts - Digha ghat, Gandhi ghat, Hathidah in Patna, Bhagalpur and Kahalgaon in Bhagalpur district, Munger district and Buxar district. A total of 3.44 lakh people were evacuated, the release said, adding 433 relief camps were being run in the flood-hit.
Child swept away, parts of Malda face flood fury
Malda : As the flood situation remained grim in parts of the district on Thursday, a child was swept away in swirling water, even as 29 villages were flooded by the swollen Ganga here. A senior district official said the 2-year old was swept away in Kaliachak blok number three as vast areas of the block were submerged by water from Ganga, which was flowing at an extremely dangerous level in the area.
Several gram panchayat areas in the district including Manikchak, Birnagar, Krishnapur were partially under water. The flood water also gushed over the two roads, built under 'Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana' project disrupting vehicular communication, the official said. The administration opened four relief camps in higher land to shelter the marooned, the official said, adding thousands were reeling under flood water in the area.
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