India Experiences Record Monsoon Rainfall Amid Extreme Weather Events

Monsoon Rainfall Statistics

This year, India witnessed its fifth wettest monsoon since 2001, accumulating 937.2 mm of rainfall from June to September, which is 8% above the average, according to the India Meteorological Department.

Impact of Extreme Weather

During this monsoon season, a tragic total of 1,528 individuals lost their lives due to severe weather conditions. Floods and heavy rainfall accounted for 935 fatalities, while lightning and thunderstorms resulted in 570 deaths.

State-wise Casualties

Madhya Pradesh reported the highest number of fatalities, totaling 290, with 153 deaths from floods and heavy rain and 135 from lightning strikes. Uttar Pradesh followed with 201 deaths, while Himachal Pradesh recorded 141 fatalities. Jammu and Kashmir experienced 139 deaths due to extreme weather, and Maharashtra reported 135.

Regional Variations in Weather Events

The nature of extreme weather varied across regions. The Himalayan states faced flash floods and landslides, whereas Bihar, Jharkhand, and Uttar Pradesh saw a higher number of lightning-related fatalities.

Forecast for October

Although the southwest monsoon officially concluded on Tuesday, the weather agency has cautioned about a potential 15% increase in rainfall for October. Mrutyunjay Mohapatra, the director general of the India Meteorological Department, indicated that the withdrawal of the monsoon from central and eastern India might be delayed, likely not completing before October 12.

Temperature Predictions

The agency also anticipates normal to below-normal maximum temperatures across much of the country in October, except for the northeast, where temperatures may be above average. Minimum temperatures are expected to remain elevated due to overcast conditions.

Heavy Rainfall in Odisha

On Thursday, Odisha experienced heavy rainfall as a depression in the Bay of Bengal intensified into a deep depression moving toward the coast. The state government has mobilized teams in at-risk districts to manage the situation, and the India Meteorological Department has issued a heavy rain alert for all 30 districts.