AURANGABAD: While the weather service agency Skymet has downgraded the Monsoon 2021 forecast to ‘below normal’ (-6% of long period average-LPA), the Marathwada region, which comprises eight districts, has already received 86% of its seasonal rainfall with five weeks of the rainy season still to go.
The region, on an average, receives 679.5 mm rainfall during the official four months of monsoon. This year, the region has recorded 584.4 mm rainfall since June so far. With 103% normal rainfall Jalna district has already received season’s quota of rainfall followed by Nanded (90%), Parbhani (89%), Hingoli (87%), Beed (85%), Aurangabad (84%), Latur (76%) and Osmanabad (70%).
Shriniwas Aundhkar, director of city-based APJ Abdul Kalam Astro Space and Science Centre, said Marathwada was expected to get more showers especially during the withdrawal phase of Monsoon. “Besides four months of rainy season till September, the region also witnesses rainfall activity during October to early November. The tally of rainfall will go further by the end of overall rainy season,” he said.
While downgrading Monsoon 2021 forecast, Skymet has said, “The Southwest Monsoon had a timely onset and made a good start with June ending above normal at 110% of the LPA. July started on a weak note and the month was marred with a pronged break till July 11. Therefore, the month finished with below normal rainfall at 93% of LPA. June and July ended with 110% and 93% of LPA against Skymet’s forecast of 106% and 97% respectively.”
Earlier, Marathwada reported 7 mm rainfall during past 24-hours ended by Tuesday morning with Beed district recording the highest 20 mm rainfall. As per IMD, no noticeable rainfall activity is likely over Aurangabad during the next 24-hours.
