Andhra Pradesh's Rainfall Deficit Shrinks to 51.7% After Three-Day Wet Spell, But Dry Spell Persists
Andhra Pradesh has received some relief from its prolonged dry spell, with three days of rainfall triggered by a low-pressure system reducing the state's overall rainfall deficit from 54.7 per cent earlier this week to 51.7 per cent as of Sunday, September 13. However, the recent showers have not been enough to make up for the deficit accumulated during the first three months of the southwest monsoon, and many districts continue to record large shortfalls.
The rainfall deficit is calculated as the percentage departure from the long-period average. Between September 1 and 13, West Godavari received 128.2 mm of rainfall against the normal of 71.9 mm, while Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Konaseema received 123.3 mm against 75.8 mm. Guntur also recorded above-normal rainfall during the first two weeks of September. Despite these recent heavy showers, the three districts still have overall rainfall deficiencies of 42.2 per cent, 41.4 per cent, and 32 per cent, respectively.
The steepest deficiencies are in Rayalaseema, a region that has seen little rainfall activity this month. Annamayya has the highest deficiency at 78.8 per cent, followed by Sri Sathya Sai at 65.1 per cent, Prakasam at 65 per cent, and Chittoor at 64.4 per cent. The remaining 24 districts have also recorded deficient rainfall.
According to the Directorate of Economics and Statistics, the State received 37.7 mm of rainfall this month up to Sunday, against the normal of 62.6 mm. A substantial portion of this rainfall was recorded in the past two days. From June 1 to September 13, the State received 235.3 mm against the normal of 486.9 mm, indicating a cumulative deficit of over 50 per cent.
Weather experts see a possibility of another weather system forming over the Bay of Bengal later this month. However, it remains uncertain whether such a system would bring substantial rainfall to Andhra Pradesh. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast that the low-pressure area that lay over the region on Saturday remained over southwest Madhya Pradesh and adjoining north Vidarbha at 8.30 a.m. on Sunday. It is likely to move west-northwestwards across southeast Rajasthan and adjoining north Gujarat during the next 24 hours.
The IMD has issued thunderstorm and strong wind warnings for Andhra Pradesh for Monday and Tuesday. Light to moderate rainfall is likely at isolated places in Parvathipuram Manyam, Alluri Sitharama Raju, Polavaram, Kakinada, NTR, Guntur, Palnadu, Markapuram, Nandyal, Kadapa, Annamayya, Chittoor, and Tirupati districts on Monday.
On Sunday, Undrajavaram in East Godavari recorded the highest rainfall of 41.17 mm. Several places in Anakapalli, Vizianagaram, Srikakulam, and Visakhapatnam districts received between 15 mm and 30 mm of rainfall between 8.30 a.m. and 8 p.m. on Sunday.
The monsoon deficit remains a concern for agriculture and water resources in the State. The southwest monsoon is crucial for kharif crops, and a prolonged dry spell can affect sowing and yields. The IMD's forecasts will be closely watched in the coming weeks. The southwest monsoon season, which spans from June to September, is critical for Andhra Pradesh's agriculture and water supply. The state relies heavily on the monsoon for its kharif crops, including rice, cotton, and pulses. A deficit of this magnitude can have significant implications for farmers and rural livelihoods.
