Record 11-day dry spell during this monsoon

THE southwest monsoon is heading towards a record dry spell as the impact of El Nino is getting stronger. It has led to a huge deficient monsoon in the first two weeks of August, leading to 6 per cent deficit in rains countrywide. On the contrary, the monsoon was 6 per cent surplus by July 31.

- JITENDRA CHOUBEY

The El Nino weather events are characterised by weaker monsoon in India, due to increase in sea surface temperature in the central and eastern Pacific ocean.

The Indian Meteorological Department has registered a record 11 days of continuous dry spell in the core parts of central India (the region represents all-India rainfall). Experts say the dry spell days will continue for another 3-4 days.

Since August 4, the daily average rainfall over the core monsoon zone region has been too low. The standard rainfall anomaly over the core monsoon region is less than one per cent. Such anomalies were noticed for a few days in early June and July, this monsoon.

There are over 110 days of active normal southwest monsoon in India. Out of it, 11 days are recorded as the average dry spell days. Extension beyond 11 days is a rare phenomenon.