The Hindu : Late onset of monsoon linked to variations in rainfall?

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Saturday, Jun 14, 2003

Southern States

Southern States - Kerala-Thiruvananthapuram

Late onset of monsoon linked to variations in rainfall?

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM June 13. The delayed onset of the South West monsoon in the State on many occasions in the past has also led to variations in the quantum of rainfall received, if the data furnished by the Meteorological Department is anything to go by.

In the last two decades, the South West monsoon arrived late in 1983, 1986, 1987, 1989, 1991, 1992, 1995, 1996, 1997 and in 1998.

This year the monsoon set in over Kerala a week later only on June 8, three days after it hit the North Eastern regions of the country.

In 1983, rainfall received was higher by two per cent, whereas in 1986, the rainfall received was deficient by 23 percent.

A 31 per cent deficiency was recorded in 1987, and in 1989 the rainfall was deficient by eight per cent.

This varying trend continued in the Nineties also.

In 1991, the rainfall was in excess by 14 per cent and in 1992, about 13 per cent excess rainfall was received. About six per cent less rainfall was recorded in 1995, and in 1996 the rainfall was less by nine per cent.

An excess rainfall of seven per cent was received in 1997 and the rainfall was higher by two per cent in 1998. Interestingly, in 2000, the South West monsoon set in over Kerala on June 1, but the rainfall was deficient by 18 per cent.

According to M.D. Ramachandran, Director, Meteorological Department, however, a delayed onset would not have any affect on the amount of rainfall received in the State.

From 1901 to 2000, the rainfall in Kerala has been deficient on 28 occasions, excess on 22 occasions and normal on 50 occasions.

The rainfall in June comprises 32 per cent of the South West monsoon, which lasts from June to September, and is about 23 per cent of the annual rainfall.

The highest deficiency in June rainfall of about 73 per cent was recorded in 1976, which was also a drought year.

The rainfall recorded in June that year was just 18.1 cm. The best rainfall for June was recorded in the year 1991, when the state received 104.7 cm of rain.

Meanwhile, the Meteorological Department authorities admitted that there are indications of changes occurring in the weather pattern in the State.

For example, rainfall figures over a 100-year period seemed to show that the quantum of rain received in the southern districts was decreasing.

However, an in-depth study would be required to ascertain this.

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Late onset of monsoon linked to variations in rainfall?