Heatwave grips state, Pune records lowest rainfall in June

Pune: Punekars should be worried, as June proved to be the worst month in terms of rainfall. The normal rainfall in this month, according to statistics, is 137mm. In fact, if India Meteorological Department (IMD) records are to be believed, since 1970, this June registered the least amount of rainfall in Pune. Earlier, it was in 1974 when Pune had recorded just 19.7mm rain in June.

The deficit is bound to grow in the coming days, as the climatic conditions are not yet favorable for the southwest monsoon to be active in the state. The IMD officials have stated that there is a heat wave in parts of north central Maharashtra and due to this the maximum temperature has increased in various parts of the state in the last few days.
The normal date of arrival of monsoon in the state is the second week of June, and by the end if the month, rains cover the entire state.
Pune usually records around 137mm rain from June 1 to 30, but this year till June 29, Pune recorded only 13.8mm rain.
“Going by the records, this has to be the lowest rainfall in the month of June in last 44 years. The second lowest was in the year 2012 when the city had recorded just 34.5 mm rainfall,” said an IMD official to dna. After the scanty rainfall in 2012, the city and the state was reeling under drought.
According to IMD officials, it is partly due to the El Nino effect that rainfall not only in the state, but also in most parts of western and northwest India has been affected. “Only parts of north-east and eastern India are receiving rainfall. On the other hand, the conditions are not yet favorable for the rainfall in western India, particularly in Maharashtra, Gujarat and Rajasthan,” an IMD official said. Parts of North Maharashtra and north central Maharashtra are witnessing a heat wave.

Rainfall in June (in mm) over the past 5 years
June 2009: 117.5
June 2010: 286.1
June 2011: 256.7
June 2012: 34.5
June 2013: 261.6
June 2014 (till June 29): 13.8