PINAKI MAJUMDAR
Jamshedpur, July 1: June, the first monsoon month, disappointed Jharkhand as it resulted in a 49 per cent rain deficit. Rain statistics revealed that against normal rainfall of 189.5mm, Jharkhand recorded 95.7 mm of rain till June 30, a deficit of 49 per cent.
In Met parlance, a rain deficit of up to 19 per cent is considered as good as normal. But a 49 per cent rain deficit is a significant shortfall. Data revealed that last year in August 2021 ended with a surplus of 33 percent, while in the year 2020, June ended with a 4 percent surplus.
According to rain statistics, all districts, including the capital Ranchi, figured in the rain loss list till June 30. Weathermen explained that the absence of a strong system over the Bay of Bengal had resulted in less rainfall through June this year.
“The Bay of Bengal component of the monsoon is weak as compared to the Arabian Sea component and this has resulted in less rainfall activity in June,” said Abhishek Anand, head of the Ranchi Met Centre.
Data suggests that several districts of Jharkhand have received scanty rainfall wherein the deficit ranges between 60 to 99 percent. The Regional Meteorological Centre at Alipore, Calcutta, has held out hope for Jharkhand.
“The deficit is worrying. The rainfall in July, the peak monsoon month, might help the state recover the deficit, “said a duty officer.
Satellite pictures indicated that the monsoon trough line had descended to lower layers of the atmosphere and this is expected to trigger widespread rain in the next couple of days.
