PUNE: June with 152.3mm rainfall had an 8% shortfall this year, making it the lowest precipitation for the country after two years, IMD data shows. The normal quantum is 165.3mm.
Pulak Guhathakurta, head of the climate research division in IMD, Pune, said in some subdivisions, especially Konkan-Goa and Madhya Maharashtra, June rainfall was the lowest in seven years.
Guhathakurta said the monsoon arrived slightly early but made a weak onset over Kerala and the adjoining regions.
Monsoon activity remained sluggish in many parts of the country at least during the first half of June with a countrywide deficiency at 25% then, he added.
8% rainfall shortage in June, lowest after two years: IMD
Pulak Guhathakurta, head of the climate research division in IMD, Pune, said, "The unfavourable Madden-Julian Oscillation (MJO) phase for most of June also resulted in less rainfall in parts of India. It is only when MJO moves to its second and third phases that rainfall activity over India increases."
Rajendra Jenamani, scientist at National Weather Forecasting Centre, IMD told TOI that a 10% monthly shortfall is normal, so the 8% less rainfall that India received this June is within the range.
"One of the reasons is an unfavorable MJO which entered a favourable phase only in the last week of June. Secondly, the Bay of Bengal monsoon branch was quite weak and there were no major systems over the Bay of Bengal to aid the monsoon," he said.
Jenamani added that the Arabian Sea monsoon branch was almost solely responsible for the rainfall that occurred over Northwest and most parts of central India right from the beginning.
"While moisture and wind convergence from Bay of Bengal kept the monsoon vigorous over Northeast India, the Arabian Sea monsoon branch may have also contributed to the heavy spells in Northeast India this June," he added.
The Bay of Bengal branch started becoming active from June 28 which is helping in the quick progress of the monsoon further and resulting in some good spells over North India recently, he said.
The average rainfall in south Maharashtra comprising Kolhapur, Sangli, Satara and Solapur districts for June has been the lowest in six years. The Nashik division, comprising five districts, received 21% less rainfall than the average, agriculture department officials said.
