Pune district in India has faced a significant rainfall deficit of 16% during the ongoing monsoon season. With only 602.6mm of rain recorded compared to the expected normal rainfall of 713.8mm, the region has been grappling with a shortfall in precipitation.
Despite enjoying normal rainfall in July, thanks to substantial showers, the extended absence of rain has caused Pune district to slide into a 16% rainfall deficit for the entire monsoon season this year.
As of August 23, officials reported that the district had received 602.6 mm of rainfall, falling short of the anticipated 713.8 mm.
According to the standards set by the India Meteorological Department (IMD), rainfall ranging between +19% to -19% is considered to be within the ‘normal’ range. Deficient rainfall falls beyond -19%, while excess rainfall is recorded beyond +19%.
Although Pune district managed to reach a modest surplus of +3% by the end of July, the subsequent decrease in rainfall throughout August reversed the progress, leading to the current deficit.
Vineet Kumar, a former researcher at the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM), highlighted the lack of significant rain in Pune city over the next ten days. He projected a mere 15-16mm of rainfall during this period and warned that Shivajinagar might receive less than 50mm of rainfall in August.
Jyoti Sonar, a meteorologist from the weather forecasting division of IMD Pune, indicated that the weakening of westerlies has been observed. However, she also noted the emergence of a circular weather pattern over Gujarat. This situation is expected to bring light rainfall to Madhya Maharashtra in the upcoming week.
