Daijiworld Media Network - Mumbai
Mumbai, Jul 25: Despite heavy monsoon showers across western Maharashtra, 15 districts in the state continue to face a rainfall deficit, with Nandurbar recording the lowest rainfall and Palghar receiving the highest surplus, according to India Meteorological Department (IMD) data.
Nandurbar has received only 144.6 mm of rainfall against its seasonal normal of 359.8 mm, registering a 60% deficit, making it the driest district in the state. In contrast, Palghar in the Konkan region has recorded 1,977.2 mm of rainfall against a normal of 1,105 mm, reflecting a 79% surplus.
Pune district has also witnessed a significantly wet monsoon, recording 682.6 mm of rainfall against its seasonal average of 420.1 mm, representing a 62% surplus.
Nashik has experienced an exceptionally wet season, receiving 719.2 mm of rainfall compared to its normal of 381.4 mm, registering an 89% excess.
According to IMD statistics, 15 districts remain in the deficient rainfall category, with shortages ranging from 20% to nearly 60%. These include Sindhudurg (37%), Solapur (29%), Latur (42%), Nanded (41%), Beed (43%), Jalna (40%), Parbhani (37%), Hingoli (54%), Yavatmal (22%), Washim (38%), Akola (33%), Amravati (31%), Nagpur (23%), Chandrapur (31%) and Gadchiroli (36%).
Officials said most of these districts are located in the Vidarbha region, where prolonged dry spells between intermittent showers have prevented seasonal rainfall from reaching normal levels.
Meteorologists attributed the uneven rainfall distribution to successive monsoon systems that have favoured the Konkan coast, the Western Ghats and adjoining districts, while many interior regions, particularly Vidarbha, have remained outside the zone of sustained rainfall activity.
Meanwhile, the IMD has forecast that the current spell of widespread heavy rainfall over western Maharashtra is likely to ease in the coming days.
On July 25, heavy rainfall warnings have been limited mainly to a few districts along the Konkan coast, while much of the state is expected to receive comparatively light rainfall. By July 26, heavy rain activity is likely to remain confined to isolated parts of Konkan, with no major warnings issued for most inland districts.
The forecast for July 27 and 28 indicates a further decline in rainfall across western Maharashtra, including Pune district. During this period, weather activity is expected to shift towards parts of eastern Maharashtra, where a few districts have been placed under a yellow alert for the possibility of thunderstorms and moderate rainfall.
S D Sanap, senior meteorologist at IMD Pune, said rainfall intensity over Pune district is expected to decrease from Saturday.
"The city and adjoining areas are likely to experience light to moderate rainfall over the next three to four days, while isolated heavy spells may occur over the ghat regions. However, no widespread heavy rainfall is expected over Pune during the forecast period," he said.