Despite recent heavy rainfall in many parts of India, the country is experiencing a 3% deficit in monsoon precipitation as of July 12, according to the latest data from the India Meteorological Department (IMD). This shortfall highlights the uneven distribution of rainfall during this year’s monsoon season.
Regional Rainfall Variations
The southern peninsula of India has above-average rainfall, with a 6% surplus. In contrast, East and Northeast India, Northwest India, and Central India have rainfall deficits ranging from 3% to 8% below normal levels.
IMD has issued heavy to very heavy rainfall warnings today for several regions. Madhya Maharashtra, Kerala, Mahe, and parts of coastal and south interior Karnataka are expected to receive 115.6 mm to 204.4 mm of rain. Additionally, heavy rainfall (64.5 mm to 115.5 mm) is anticipated in Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, eastern Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Sub-Himalayan West Bengal, Sikkim, Bihar, and Jharkhand.
Isolated areas in Odisha, Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Meghalaya, Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, Karaikal, coastal Andhra Pradesh, Yanam, Telangana, and north interior Karnataka may also experience heavy rainfall of 64.5 mm to 115.5 mm.
Thunderstorms and Lightning Alerts
IMD has forecast thunderstorms and lightning for isolated parts of Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh, Gilgit-Baltistan-Muzaffarabad, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, East Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Vidarbha, Chhattisgarh, West Bengal, Sikkim, Bihar, Jharkhand, and Odisha.
Strong winds are expected in several coastal regions, prompting warnings for fishermen. Wind speeds of 35 to 45 kmph, potentially intensifying to 55 kmph, are likely over the northeastern and adjoining northwestern Arabian Sea, east-central and west-central Arabian Sea, and parts of the South Arabian Sea. Similar conditions are expected along the coasts of North Karnataka, Gulf of Mannar, and northwestern Sri Lanka.
The coasts of Gujarat, Maharashtra, Goa, Lakshadweep, Karnataka, and Kerala may experience stronger winds, potentially reaching 65 kmph. The IMD has advised fishermen to avoid these areas for fishing or related activities.
Temperature Extremes
Despite the monsoon, temperature variations persist across the country. Yesterday, Churu in western Rajasthan recorded the highest maximum temperature at 42.5°C, while Dehri in Bihar had the lowest minimum temperature in the plains at 17.5°C.
On July 12, between 8:30 am and 5:30 pm, different regions across India experienced rainfall or thundershowers, including Kerala & Mahe, Andaman & Nicobar Islands, coastal Karnataka, Sub-Himalayan West Bengal & Sikkim, Uttarakhand, Madhya Maharashtra, Telangana, Chhattisgarh, Odisha, Bihar, Gangetic West Bengal, Assam & Meghalaya, and Arunachal Pradesh.
Isolated rainfall was reported in Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh, Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Jharkhand, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram, Tripura, coastal Andhra Pradesh, Yanam, Marathwada, Vidarbha, and interior Karnataka.
Several locations recorded substantial rainfall on July 12. Kottayam in Kerala & Mahe received 11 cm, while Pathanamthitta recorded 9 cm. Thiruvananthapuram and Kannur each received 7 cm. Other measurements include 5 cm in Idukki and Panaji, 4 cm in Old Goa, and 3 cm each in Mumbai (Colaba) and Matheran.
As the monsoon progresses, the IMD continues to monitor and provide updates and warnings to ensure public safety and support agricultural planning.
