Weathermen expect normal monsoons for Andaman this year

Port Blair, Apr 20 (UNI) The Andaman and Nicobar Islands, which were badly hit by water scarcity last year due to inadequate rainfall, are expected to receive normal monsoon showers this year.

The Andaman unit of the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast normal monsoon this year for the far-flung Islands, which received scarce rainfall last year.

''We expect the monsoons to hit Andaman and Nicobar Islands by last week of April, which is normal for these islands,'' Incharge of IMD's Andaman unit K C Das told UNI today.

The islands usually experience monsoon for seven months a year with an average annual rainfall of 3,180 mm.

''As there was no rainfall from the primary monsoons and Andaman received rain only from secondary monsoon showers last year, we had to face serious water crisis,'' Mr Das added.

Meanwhile, the islanders, who are suffering from the oppressive summer heat as well as high humidity of 72 per cent with the maximum temperature being recorded at 32.9 degrees Celsius, are eager for the arrival of the monsoons, which are the only source of fresh water for the far-flung islands.

''The water level of Andaman's lone water reservoir is decreasing fast and if the primary monsoon fails this year too, the islands may face severe water crisis once again,'' sources in the Andaman PWD told UNI.

Since January, the Andaman and Nicobar Islands have received only 201.2 mm of rainfall, which is negligible, considering the fresh water requirement of the island chain.

Weeks before the arrival of the monsoons the assurance of weathermen have brought some respite for the people.

The Andaman and Nicobar Islands are the entry door of the monsoons to India and timely arrival of monsoons in the islands is certainly good news for the entire country, the weathermen said.

UNI SKR DPM/src1201