Increase in rainfall activity in various parts of country

New Delhi, Jul 31 (UNI) After a weak monsoon activity across India in the first three weeks of July, last week witnessed good rainfall in various parts of the country with a significant improvement over Central and Peninsular India, the India Meteorological Department today said.

''Though the cumulative seasonal rainfall for the country as a whole for the period between June 1 and July 30 remained below the Long Period Average (LPA) value by two per cent, rainfall distribution over the four broad homogeneous regions of India clearly shows improvement in the rainfall scenario over Central and South peninsular India,''the IMD said in a release.

For example, the rainfall in Central India till July 23 was 348.1 mm, 15 per cent lower than the LPA average, the areas had a total rainfall of 442.6 mm till July 30, nine per cent lower than the LPA average.

In Southern Peninsula, the rainfall recieved till July 23 was 219.3 mm, 32 per cent lower than the LPA for the period, the rainfall till July 30 was 298.8 mm, 20 per cent lower than the LPA for the period.

Due to good rainfall activity over many parts of the country during the last week, number of deficient /scanty sub-divisions has decreased and the number of normal sub-divisions has increased, the IMD said.

Infact, while the number of sub divisions with deficient rainfall in the period between June 1 to July 23 was 14, it reduced to 10 during the period between June 1 to July 30.

On the reasons for increased rainfall activity across the country over the last week, the IMD said,''During this week( July 24-30), Monsoon trough gradually shifted Southwards with eastern end dipping into Bay of Bengal on July 26. Consequently, a low pressure area formed over Northwest and adjoining West-Central Bay of Bengal on July 27.

It moved west-northwestwards across Orissa, south Chhattisgarh and Vidarbha during 27-30th. Under its influence, Monsoon revived over Peninsular India after a long dry spell. Many parts of Kerala, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra experienced active to vigorous Monsoon conditions. Other parts of country also received good rainfall activity.'' The situation is likely to improve further in the coming days with weathermen forecasting a good rainfall activity over Central India during the next three days.

Further, Peninsular India, particularly Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra are likely to receive widespread rainfall with heavy to very heavy falls during 2-5 August.

''Northwest India will experience fairly widespread rainfall activity with isolated heavy to very heavy falls during the next 2-3 days,''the IMD said.

UNI AR AKJ RN1937