Kashmir Impulse Desk
Srinagar, Sep 04
Kashmir recorded a 25 percent rainfall deficit in August, while Jammu posted a 16 percent shortfall and Ladakh recorded a 2 percent surplus, according to India Meteorological Department data.
Kashmir received 615.2 mm of rain during the month against a normal of 815.5 mm, while Jammu recorded 2452.9 mm against a normal of 2930.7 mm.
The 16 percent deficit in Jammu fell within the IMD’s normal rainfall range.
Rainfall departures of between minus 19 percent and 19 percent are classified as normal by the IMD.
A deficit of 20 percent to 59 percent is classified as deficient, while a shortfall of 60 percent or more is considered a large deficit.
Rainfall of 20 percent to 59 percent above normal is classified as excess, and 60 percent or more as large excess.
Rainfall varied considerably across districts, with higher reaches recording intense showers and occasional cloudbursts while lower areas generally received light to moderate rain.
Some intense spells triggered flash floods, landslides, mudslides, shooting stones, rockfalls, and heavy runoff.
Shopian recorded Kashmir’s largest rainfall deficit at 57 percent, followed by Budgam at 50 percent and Anantnag at 39 percent.
Kupwara recorded a 36 percent deficit and Baramulla 33 percent.
Kulgam and Srinagar remained within the normal range at 14 percent and 13 percent below normal.
Ganderbal and Budgam also recorded normal rainfall departures of 9 percent and 3 percent.
Pulwama was the only Kashmir district to record excess rainfall, at 24 percent, receiving 90 mm against a normal of 72.7 mm.
Kishtwar recorded a large rainfall deficit of 78 percent, followed by Rajouri at 55 percent, Jammu at 38 percent, Reasi at 36 percent and Ramban at 28 percent.
Poonch recorded excess rainfall of 21 percent.
Udhampur and Samba remained within the normal range at 17 percent and 9 percent below normal, while Kathua and Doda recorded 4 percent surplus rainfall each.
Ladakh recorded a 2 percent surplus in August, within the IMD’s normal category.
Leh received 19.8 mm of rain against a normal of 5.6 mm, an excess of 253 percent, while Kargil received 10.3 mm against a normal of 9 mm, a 15 percent surplus.
J&K recorded a 24 percent rainfall deficit in June, followed by a 35 percent surplus in July.
The July surplus offset the June and August shortfalls, leaving total summer rainfall from June to August in the normal category.
Rainfall was also deficient during spring.
J&K recorded a 28 percent deficit from March to May, with Kashmir 36 percent below normal and Jammu 20 percent below normal.
Ladakh recorded a 26 percent surplus during the period.
