El Niño Effect: The active El Niño phenomenon in the Pacific Ocean has severely affected rainfall activities in India this year, as the country experienced a 42 per cent rain deficit in June. The impact of El Niño has been significant, as this is only the third time for the past 100 years that less rainfall was recorded in June. The country has received an average rainfall of 92.2 mm in June so far, far less than the normal figure of 157.7 mm.
Third Driest June In 100 Years
In the past 100 years, this is only the third time when June received less rainfall, as the only years with less rainfall in the month were 2009 (87.5 mm) and 2014 (92.1 mm). The weather experts pointed out that all three driest years have been registered in the past two decades, showing the effects of climate change.
However, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has assured that the rain-deprived states, including the central regions, are set to witness moderate to heavy rainfall in the first week of July. As per the weather department, the monsoon will pick up speed and bring good rainfall to most of the states in the upcoming days.
All Regions Receive Less Rainfall
While the central states of the country recorded 54 per cent less rainfall in June, eastern and northeastern regions received 41 per cent less rainfall. Apart from this, northwestern India recorded 30 per cent and southern states witnessed 28 per cent less rain activity in June.
The less rainfall is also likely to severely affect the production of the kharif crops, especially in the northern states. As per the US agency International Research Institute for Climate and Society, increasing heat in the Pacific region has brought El Niño closer to moderate intensity and is expected to gain intensity in the coming months.
El Niño warms the waters of the Pacific Ocean, leading to less rainfall in the South Asian countries, especially India and Pakistan.
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