Kashmir Impulse Desk

Srinagar, May 31

Jammu and Kashmir recorded a 28 percent rainfall deficit during the spring season, with Kashmir receiving substantially below-normal precipitation despite frequent wet spells in May, according to meteorological data released on Saturday.

J&K received 235.6 mm of rainfall between March 1 and May 31 against a normal of 327.8 mm, placing it in the “Deficient” category under India Meteorological Department norms.

Kashmir division recorded a 36 percent shortfall during the three months, while Jammu division registered a 20 percent deficit.

Neighbouring Ladakh recorded above-normal precipitation, receiving 11.2 mm rainfall against a normal of 8.9 mm, a surplus of 26 percent.

Among districts in Jammu and Kashmir, Shopian and Kathua recorded the sharpest deficits and fell in the “Large Deficient” category.

Shopian received 74 mm rainfall against a normal of 292.4 mm, marking a 75% deficit, while Kathua recorded a 61 percent shortfall after receiving 102.3 mm against a normal of 260.9 mm.

Twelve districts were classified as deficient.

In Kashmir, Kulgam recorded a 56 percent deficit, Anantnag 49 percent, Budgam 48 percent, Pulwama 34 percent, while Bandipora and Srinagar each recorded 31 percent below-normal rainfall.

In Jammu division, Kishtwar recorded a 38 percent deficit, Jammu 33 percent, Udhampur and Ramban 32 percent each, Doda 27 percent, and Reasi 23 percent.

Four districts recorded near-normal rainfall. Ganderbal reported a 5 percent deficit, Kupwara 7 percent, and Baramulla 12 percent, while Rajouri recorded a 6 percent surplus.

Only Poonch and Samba registered excess rainfall.

Poonch received 463.8 mm against a normal of 362.9 mm, a surplus of 28 percent, while Samba received 124.5 mm against 88.7 mm, a surplus of 40 percent.

No district in Jammu and Kashmir recorded “Large Excess” rainfall.

In Ladakh, Kargil recorded the highest positive departure, receiving 24.1 mm against a normal of 11.3 mm, or 113 percent above normal. Leh remained in the normal category with a rainfall deficit of 11 percent.

Director of the Meteorological Department in Jammu and Kashmir, Mukhtar Ahmad said rainfall during May was frequent but largely scattered and uneven.

“It did rain in major parts of Kashmir during most of May, but the weather activity remained localised and not uniform,” Ahmad said.

“Hailstorms and intense showers were reported at scattered places every other day, but there was no widespread rainfall across the region. That is why the deficit remained high despite frequent weather activity,” he said.

Ahmad said the uneven rainfall was partly due to the absence of significant mesoscale convective systems – large organised thunderstorm clusters that typically bring widespread precipitation.

“We did not witness significant MCS activity this spring season. Most weather events remained localised, which is why rainfall distribution was uneven despite frequent spells of rain,” he said.

He said a few western disturbances in March and April had briefly improved the rainfall situation after an unusually dry winter, but the deficit widened again in May as precipitation remained patchy.

The data showed that while parts of the Pir Panjal region and some districts in Jammu recorded normal to excess rainfall, much of Kashmir and several areas of Jammu continued to receive below-normal precipitation through the spring season.