Monsoon caused above normal rainfall in most parts of India, says weather body

The Southwest monsoon season, which lasts from June to September, brought above-normal rainfall to most parts of India, with the country’s overall rainfall reaching 108 per cent of the Long Period Average (LPA), the India Meteorological Department said.
Notably, LPA is the averag rainfall recorded over a specific region over a given time interval.
While central India, northwest India and the southern peninsula received record rainfall during this period, reaching 106 per cent of their LPAs, east and north-east India received less rainfall, which was below normal levels, amounting to just 86 per cent of the LPA.
The monsoon was particularly generous during the latter half of the season, with August and September breaking records at 114 per cent of the LPA, the weather body said.
The monsoon core zone, encompassing several key central regions, witnessed an impressive 122 per cent of its LPA in rainfall, critical for the Kharif cropping season.
Despite a drier-than-usual June, which saw rainfall at 89 per cent of the LPA, the months of July, August, and September over compensated with above-average precipitation.
Out of the 36 meteorological subdivisions across the country, only three, Arunachal Pradesh, Punjab, Jammu & Kashmir, and Ladakh, reported deficient rainfall.
Other regions either met or exceeded the expected norms, ensuring overall satisfactory conditions. This widespread rainfall has significant implications for water reservoirs, crop yields, and hydrological balance, promising a good year for most regions.
The Southwest Monsoon season this year has been marked by substantial meteorological activity, featuring the formation of six monsoon depressions, with one of these intensifying into cyclonic storm “ASNA.”
The onset of the monsoon was delayed over the Indo-Gangetic plains in June, which contributed to a rainfall deficiency in this region. However, the overall monsoon activity picked up pace significantly in subsequent months.
In July, three low-pressure systems developed, leading to widespread heavy rainfall across various parts of the country. This trend of enhanced rainfall continued into August, which was bolstered by the development of six new systems, including cyclonic storm ASNA. These consistent weather systems ensured above normal rainfall during these two crucial monsoon months.
September was equally eventful, with three low-pressure systems emerging and moving west and north-westwards, collectively bringing excess rainfall. There were no breaks in the monsoon, further contributing to the higher-than-normal rainfall totals observed in July and August.
Despite an overall active monsoon, not all regions benefited equally. The northern parts of India experienced limited activity from monsoon systems except for some incidents in September.
As a result, areas such as the western Himalayas reported below-normal rainfall.
In contrast, other regions endured several significant heavy and extreme rainfall events. Areas like Konkan and Goa, coastal Karnataka, and West Madhya Pradesh were particularly affected, experiencing intense downpours that occasionally led to flooding and other weather-related challenges.