IMD expects stronger rain spell to ease Uttarakhand’s monsoon deficit

Dehradun: India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast a stronger spell of rain across Uttarakhand over the next few days, raising hopes of reducing the state’s rainfall deficit after a sluggish and uneven start to the monsoon.Uttarakhand has recorded a 24% rainfall deficit during the southwest monsoon season so far, from June 1 to July 7. IMD data showed the state received just 2mm of rain in the 24 hours ending Tuesday morning against the normal of more than 12mm, leaving it with an 82% deficit for the period.Rohit Thapliyal, senior scientist at Regional Meteorological Centre, Dehradun, said, “The active monsoon phase is expected to continue till July 8, with heavy rain likely at isolated places across the state.

After that, rainfall activity is expected to reduce slightly, although light to moderate showers are likely over most parts of Uttarakhand.”The forecast comes at a crucial stage of the monsoon season, as July is usually Uttarakhand’s wettest month and accounts for a large share of the state’s seasonal rainfall. Weather officials said a few widespread spells this month could help narrow the deficit, depending on how the rain is distributed across the state.

Despite localised heavy showers over the past week that triggered landslides and disrupted roads in several hill districts, large parts of Uttarakhand continued to receive below-normal rainfall. IMD officials said the rain expected over the next few days could improve the state’s seasonal rainfall position.District-wise figures reflected the uneven distribution. Bageshwar has recorded a 251% surplus so far this month, followed by Chamoli (55%), Uttarkashi (45%) and Tehri Garhwal (33%). In contrast, Pauri Garhwal has reported the highest deficit at 65%, followed by Nainital (54%), Rudraprayag (26%), Champawat (16%) and Pithoragarh (14%).