IMD: India Records Highest Ever Rain In Monsoon Season Since 1994

As the monsoon season officially ended on Monday, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) stated that the country had recorded the highest monsoon rainfall since 1994. It classified the rains as ‘above normal’. But the monsoon is still active over several parts of the country. According to the IMD, the longest delayed withdrawal of the rain-bearing winds could be witnessed this year.  

Read: Bihar Floods: NDRF Evacuates Over 4,000 People In Capital Patna

Excess rainfall after a sluggish start 

Recently, west Madhya Pradesh and Saurashtra and Kutch, two divisions out of the 36 meteorological sub-divisions of the IMD registered precipitation in “large excess”. The onset of the monsoon was very late in 2019, nearly a week later after its normal arrival date. It continued to be sluggish in the month of June. Basically, there was a 33% rainfall deficiency towards the end of June. However, the rainfall tremendously increased in July. It was 33% more rainfall than normal. This trend continued in August too, that witnessed 15% more rainfall than normal. September has also broken the record rainfall in regions such as Maharashtra.  

Read: IMD Predicts Torrential Rainfall In Isolated Pockets Of Gujarat

Tremendous damage 

In the last 4 days, almost 110 people have died in India due to rain-related incidents. Uttar Pradesh has recorded the maximum number of deaths-79 since Thursday. Officials suggested that three women drowned in Rajkot district on Saturday after their car swept away at a flooded causeway. On the other hand, states like Uttarakhand, Madhya Pradesh, and Rajasthan reported almost 13 deaths. According to the IMD Director General Mritunjay Mohapatra, the monsoon was unlikely to withdraw even till the weekend.

Read: Bihar Deputy CM Sushil Modi Rescued By NDRF As Patna Inundated

Patna affected

Bihar has suffered significant damage in the last few days. Most areas of capital city Patna are under knee-deep water. People have been struggling to lead a normal life. Even affluent areas like Rajendra Nagar and Pataliputra colony have been flooded. Hospitals and medical shops have also been badly affected. The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) has already rescued more than 4,000 stranded people in Patna.

(With PTI inputs)

Read: Patna Floods: Boats On Roads, Water Enters Shops As Ganga Overflows