Tuesday, June 11, 2013

Above average rainfall cheers parched state

MUMBAI: The onset of monsoon in the drought-hit state has been impressive. So far, about 60% of the state has received above average rainfall.

Data from the chief minister's office shows that 21 of the 35 districts in the state received more than 100% of the rainfall usual for this time of the year.

These districts include some of the worst-hit by drought, such as Jalna, Aurangabad, Satara and Sangli, where the precipitation recorded was 123%, 138%, 176% and 179% of normal, respectively.

Since June 1, the city suburbs have recorded 301 mm rainfall, which is 166% of the average.

The island city received 213 mm, or 116% of the normal rainfall. Rainfall in neighbouring Thane was 142% of the average. Only three districts, Gondia, Bhandara and Nagpur in Vidarbha region, received rainfall that was below 50% of the average. Eight districts witnessed 50-75% of the average rainfall.

About 93% of the average rainfall was recorded in Beed, which, too, faced ravaging drought conditions over the past months.

The highest deviation was recorded in Dhule, where rainfall was 281% of the normal precipitation, followed by Ahmednagar at 221%, Sangli at 179% and Satara at 176%.

Latest official data shows that water in reservoirs in the state stands at 14% of capacity. Senior state officials said they were hoping the good spell of rain would continue so that water levels in dams rise.

Source: TNN

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