‘No rain in north Maha in 60% of monsoon’
MUMBAI: A rainfall variability study by the India Meteorological Department (IMD) shows that over the past 30 years, northern parts of Maharashtra witnessed no rainfall during 60% of the monsoon. The IMD, Pune, released the report on Saturday.
After analysing changes in rainfall pattern for different states over 30 years (1989-2018), the IMD found that an average of 290-300 days in a year remain dry across Akola, Buldhana, Washim, Wardha, Jalna and Aurangabad, across 15 districts in Marathwada and north-central Maharashtra. The study by IMD on the impact of climate change also found that a maximum of 71 to 79 out 122 days (the duration of the southwest monsoon, from June to September) remained dry.
Only Palghar district in Maharashtra showed a significant increasing trend in southwest monsoon and annual rainfall while Aurangabad and Parbhani showed a significant decreasing trend.
Mrutunjay Mohapatra, director general, IMD, said, “The report gives state authorities an impetus for future planning, developing strategies, and a roadmap to address impacts of location-wise weather changes.”
Ministry of Earth Sciences (MOES) secretary M Rajeevan warned about water stress.
“We must realise that while this is a 30-year analysis, the trends may not continue in the future as we are witnessing yearon-year or short duration changes as well. However, if this trend continues, there is definitely worry that rain-deficient districts in Maharashtra that are likely to suffer from water stress. The major impact will be for the agricultural sector,” he said.
During the monsoon months, Maharashtra gets 33% or maximum rain during July; 28% during August; 21% in June; and 18% September, the study found. Mean rainfall during monsoon has been 1,020.7mm and 1,146.5mm annually for the state, which means over 89% of annual rain is received during monsoon.
“The Konkan region receives on an average 60-70 rainy days