Cyclone Montha brings record October rainfall to Telangana, highest in last 51 years

Cyclone Montha has severely impacted the Telugu States of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, claiming lives and causing extensive damage to crops. It also brought the highest October rainfall in decades — 17.5 cm — about 95% above normal. This marks the second-highest rainfall recorded for the month in the last 51 years, according to meteorologists at the Telangana Development Planning Society (TGDPS).

25.1 cm in 1974

“The highest recorded October rainfall was 25.1 cm in 1974. This year’s heavy rainfall is attributed to a single cyclone system. A similar event occurred in 2020, when a cyclone brought 16.3 cm of rain, or an 83% excess,” said senior weather consultant Y.V. Rama Rao in an exclusive interaction.

Bheemdevpally village in Hanamkonda district recorded a staggering 42.2 cm of rainfall in a single day on October 30, surpassing the previous high of 32.5 cm recorded in Ghatkesar (Medchal-Malkajgiri district) on October 14, 2020. The average monthly rainfall for October is typically around 9 cm. Last year, only 6.5 cm was recorded during the same period, making this year’s rainfall 171% above normal.

Monsoon this year

From June 1 to October 31, Telangana received a cumulative rainfall of 116.4 cm, compared to the normal 83.8 cm — a deviation of 40%. Within the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) limits, rainfall stood at 101.5 cm against the normal 73.5 cm, a deviation of 38%.