Kashmir Impulse Desk
Srinagar, Nov 6
Jammu and Kashmir recorded sharply contrasting rainfall patterns in October, with Jammu division receiving substantially above-normal precipitation, parts of south Kashmir facing significant shortfalls and Ladakh remaining largely dry, according to India Meteorological Department (IMD) data.
Kashmir division received 32.13 mm of rainfall against its monthly normal of 30.38 mm, a surplus of 5.76 percent, placing it in the normal category. However, the overall figure concealed considerable variations between districts.
Shopian recorded the largest shortfall in the Valley, receiving 8.8 mm against a normal of 30.4 mm, a deficit of 71 percent. Kulgam received 14.9 mm against 35.5 mm, marking a shortfall of 58 percent, while Anantnag recorded 23.3 mm against 30.7 mm, a deficit of 24 percent.
Budgam received 19.3 mm against its normal of 22.4 mm, a shortfall of 14%. Pulwama recorded 24.8 mm against 22.3 mm, an excess of 11 percent, while Srinagar received 31.5 mm against a normal of 27 mm, marking a surplus of 17 percent.
In north and central Kashmir, Kupwara recorded 73.5 mm against a normal of 40.7 mm, an excess of 81 percent, placing it in the large excess category.
Ganderbal received 42.3 mm against 28.2 mm, a surplus of 50 percent, while Bandipora recorded 37.6 mm against 28.7 mm, an excess of 31 percent. Both districts fell in the excess category.
Baramulla received 45.3 mm against a normal of 37.9 mm, marking a surplus of 19 percent and remaining within the normal range.
A Meteorological Department official said rainfall had not been uniformly distributed across Kashmir Valley and parts of Jammu division.
Jammu division recorded 59.66 mm of rainfall against a normal of 30.83 mm, marking an excess of 93.51 percent and placing the division in the large excess category.
Jammu district received 124.7 mm against a normal of 30.4 mm, a surplus of 310%. Kathua recorded 56.9 mm against 25.2 mm, an excess of 126 percent, while Poonch received 61.3 mm against 30.1 mm, marking a surplus of 103 percent.
Reasi recorded 71.6 mm against 35.5 mm, an excess of 102 percent. Rajouri received 27.5 mm against a normal of 15.3 mm, a surplus of 79 percent, while Samba recorded 110 mm against just 9.8 mm, an excess of 1022 percent.
These six districts were classified in the large excess category.
Udhampur received 80.6 mm against a normal of 59.2 mm, marking an excess of 36 percent.
In contrast, Kishtwar recorded 19.5 mm against a normal of 33.5 mm, a deficit of 42 percent. Doda received 21 mm against 33.5 mm, a shortfall of 37 percent, while Ramban recorded 23.5 mm against 35.8 mm, a deficit of 34 percent. All three districts fell in the deficit category.
Ladakh recorded the steepest rainfall shortfall. Leh received 1.3 mm against its normal of 3.4 mm, a deficit of 65 percent, while Kargil recorded no rainfall against a normal of 1.3 mm.
The broader regional assessment showed a 33.4 percent rainfall deficit in Kashmir, 21.4 percent in Jammu and 97.8 percent in Ladakh.
The combined shortfall across the 20 districts stood at 24.4 percent, placing the overall region in the deficit category.
Under IMD classification, rainfall departures between minus 19 percent and plus 19 percent are considered normal.
A shortfall of 20 percent to 59 percent is classified as deficit, while a shortfall of 60 percent or more constitutes large deficit.
Rainfall between 20 percent and 59 percent above normal is classified as excess, while a surplus of 60 percent or more falls in the large excess category.
