India's Monsoon Season Ends with 13% Deficit, Lowest in Over a Decade

India's four-month monsoon season, which typically brings significant rainfall to the country, has ended with a 13% deficit in rainfall. This marked its driest monsoon in over a decade. The country as a whole received 87% of normal rainfall.

With the June-September monsoon season witnessing large deficits in three of its four months.

According to the India Meteorological Department, the country received 759.4 mm of rainfall, significantly below the normal of 868.6 mm. This is the lowest rainfall in over a decade. With the last time India's seasonal rainfall fell below 90% of the long period average being in 2015.

The developing El Nino is expected to reach its peak between October and December. With the World Meteorological Organization predicting a significant increase in global climate variability.

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India's monsoon remained largely unaffected by the El Nino until August. With only July receiving normal rainfall, about 1% more than the long period average. However, the country's monsoon season has been impacted by the strong El Nino in the equatorial Pacific Ocean, which typically suppresses rainfall over India.

The opposite phase, La Nina, which brings cooler surface waters, generally favors good rainfall. In its first long-range forecast in April, the India Meteorological Department had predicted a below-normal rainfall, which has now come to pass.

India's monsoon season has been marked by a rare scarcity of rainfall over the past decade. With only two instances of below-average precipitation recorded since 2017. The country's 2017 and 2018 monsoons, respectively, saw 95% and 91% of normal rainfall.

This year's season has seen significant shortfalls in three of its four months, with June being the most severely impacted.

The periodic warming and cooling of the equatorial Pacific Ocean. Known as El Nino Southern Oscillation or ENSO, is a significant contributor to year-on-year variations in global climate. This phenomenon affects weather patterns globally and has a profound impact on India's monsoon season.

India's monsoon season has ended with a 13% deficit in rainfall, with the country receiving 87% of normal rainfall. The four-month June-September monsoon season has witnessed significant deficits in three of its four months.

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With the country'It's rainfall totals being significantly below the long period average.

The department's forecast suggests that the monsoon season will continue to be affected by the El Nino. With significant implications for India's agriculture and water resources.

As the El Nino continues to develop, the World Meteorological Organization is predicting a significant increase in global climate variability. This will have far-reaching implications for India's monsoon season and the country's ability to prepare for the changing climate.

The impact of the El Nino on India's monsoon season will be closely monitored by the India Meteorological Department.