South West Monsoons

Although the IMD states that the South West (SW) Monsoons are on the romp in the Indian subcontinent, I must admit that Trivandrum seems to be neglected so far apart from some insubstantial drizzles- a far cry from those old days when the school reopening (usually on June 2nd) coincided with deluges (the normal onset of SW Monsoons being 1st June) and one would have to suffer through the lengthy classes with soaked socks!

Even though the SW monsoons first hits the south peninsular region of India (comprising of the states/territories of Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, Lakshadweep¸ Pondicherry, and Tamil Nadu) before proceeding on to the north, the Northeast Indian states (Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram, Tripura, Sikkim,West Bengal, Jharkhand, and Bihar) receives the most amount of rainfall (1098.1 mm in 2009), followed by the Central Indian states (Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Goa, Chhattisgarh, and Orissa) with 795.5 mm. The historical data for the past decade also shows that the South Peninsular region experiences the monsoons’ fickleness (682.3 in 2009; 692.5 in 2008; 902.1 in 2007; 684.5 in 2006; 807 in 2005; 617 in 2004; 648 in 2003; 506.7 in 2002; 659 in 2001; 801.3 in 2000), with the region receiving less than 700 mm in 1999, 1993, 1987-1984; 1982; 1979; 1980; 1977-76; 1973-71. The region’s normal rainfall in June averages 200-300 mm. And with Kerala receiving only 98.4 mm during the week of 27th May to 2nd June (a deficiency of -57%), I am fervently hoping that there won’t be another drought.

*All data and units are from IMD