Despite heavy rainfall in northern and northwestern India on July 8-9, 2023, the monsoon distribution across the country remains highly irregular. Large portions of southeastern and southern India continue to face a rainfall deficit while other regions grapple with excessive precipitation.
As of July 10, the India Meteorological Department classified the overall monsoon rainfall as "normal." However, 15 subdivisions in the eastern and southern peninsula reported below-average rainfall. The rainfall distribution map for June 2023 reveals significant deviations from the norm, with western, northwestern, and northern India experiencing excess rainfall, while southern and eastern regions faced deficits.Several factors have contributed to this anomalous pattern. In June, Cyclone Biparjoy resulted in excess to large excess rainfall in the western and northwestern parts of the country, while the eastern and southern regions experienced weak monsoonal rains, leading to dry conditions.
In July, a marine heatwave in the Bay of Bengal injected substantial moisture into the monsoon depression or low-pressure system. Instead of moving in the north-central direction, the system drifted toward the northwestern regions of India due to these atmospheric conditions. A unique occurrence transpired when this low-pressure system interacted with a western disturbance, a weather phenomenon originating in the Mediterranean region that typically brings sudden rainfall to northwestern India during winter. The interaction between these two systems resulted in extreme rainfall over northern states on July 8 and 9, 2023. The year 2023 has witnessed a series of meteorological anomalies. Initially, the traditionally drier western regions of Gujarat and Rajasthan experienced excess rainfall in June. Subsequently, the marine heatwave in the Bay of Bengal disrupted the expected pattern, typically leading to a drier central region and increased rainfall in the southern peninsula.
While the central regions have generally received normal rainfall in 2023, the southern peninsula has remained predominantly dry. The interaction between the northwest-bound low-pressure system and the existing western disturbance represents another rare occurrence during the monsoon season. The cumulative effect of these meteorological events in 2023 has led to significant deviations from expected patterns. These disparities in monsoon rainfall can have substantial consequences for agriculture and water resources in the affected regions.
In conclusion, India's monsoon season in 2023 has been characterized by disrupted rainfall patterns, resulting in regional disparities. While some areas have experienced excessive precipitation, southeastern and southern regions continue to face significant rainfall deficits. The occurrence of cyclones, marine heatwaves, and the interaction of weather systems have contributed to this irregular distribution. These deviations have implications for agriculture and water availability, underscoring the challenges posed by unpredictable monsoons in India.
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