May records 2nd highest rainfall in 121 years

As per Indian Meteorological Department (IMD), May 2021 received second highest rainfall in 121 years.

Key findings by IMD

• Highest rainfall attributes to two back-to-back cyclones and western disturbances.
• IMD also highlights, average maximum temperature of 34.18 degrees Celsius over India this May was fourth lowest since 1901. In 1917, India had recorded lowest ever temperature May as 32.68 degrees Celsius.
• Temperature was also lowest since 1977 when it was recorded as 33.84 degrees Celsius.
• No significant heat wave spell was observed during may over any parts of India.

Rainfall in May

Rainfall over India as a whole for May month of 2021 was recorded as 107.9 millimetres which is 74 percent more than its Long Period Average (LPA) of 62 mm. Highest ever rainfall was occurred in year 1990 with recorded rainfall of 110.7mm.

Why May recorded highest rainfall?

May witnessed the formation of cyclone in Arabian Sea as well as Bay of Bengal. Tauktae cyclone formed over Arabian Sea and developed into an extremely severe cyclonic storm hitting Gujarat coast on May 17. Cyclone Yaas was developed over Bay of Bengal & intensified severe cyclonic storm hitting Odisha coast on May 26.  These two systems brought rainfall over the states as well as in western & eastern coasts.

Western disturbances

Western disturbances are cyclonic storms originating in Mediterranean Sea and traverse across Central Asia before hitting north India. They are critical to northwest India as they act as major source of snow & rainfall during the winters.

Month: Current Affairs - June, 2021