Rainfall

Submitted by pbhagawati on Mon, 12/29/2008 - 15:58

 

 

Rainfall during 2008-09:

 

The State had experienced 1951.3 mm rainfall during 2008-09 out of which 1773.0 mm was occurred during the Kharif crop season. According to the Stare Agriculture Department, the pattern of overall rainfall during the Kharif season in 2008-09 was normal except in the months of April, May and June. During these three months the State experienced deficient rainfall ranged from 21 percent to 45 percent less to the normal rainfall. On the top of it, the State had to experience 2 waves of flood during the season mainly due to down steam water from the neighbouring Hill States and Countries which inundated the crop area and affected standing Kharif crops. However, the joint effort of the State Agriculture Department and the farmers, the farmers enabled to recoup the loss caused by flood.

 

During the Rabi crop season of 2008-09 i.e., from October, 2008 to March, 2009 the State had received 178.3 mm of rainfall against normal rainfall of 302.2 mm, a deviation of -41%. This deviation was acute during the months of November 2008 to February 2009 as the State had received actual rainfall ranged between 1.4 mm to 10.0 mm.

 

Rainfall in Assam during Kharif and Rabi Season, 2008-09:

 

Month

Actual rainfall received by the state (mm)

Percentage departure from Normal

Status

Kharif Season:

April, 2008

153.5

-24%

Deficient

May, 2008

201.1

-45%

Deficient

June, 2008

358.8

-21%

Deficient

July, 2008

371.5

-11%

Normal

August, 2008

440.2

-33%

Excessive

September, 2008

247.9

-7%

Normal

Total (Karif)

1773.0

-13%

Normal

Rabi Season:

October, 2008

120.9

-14%

Normal

November, 2008

1.8

-93%

Scanty

December, 2008

1.4

-89%

Scanty

January, 2009

4.2

-77%

Scanty

February, 2009

10.0

-63%

Scanty

March, 2009

40.0

-49%

Deficient

Total

178.3

-44%

Deficient

Source: Economic Survey Assam, 2009-10

 

Rainfall during Kharif Season during 2009-10:
 

This acute deficiency of rainfall experienced by the State since March 2009 also continued during the Kharif season of 2009-10 both in terms of total rainfall and its spread. During the peak Kharif period from June 2009 to September 2009, the overall rainfall deficit in the State of Assam was recorded as (-)35% by 30th June, (-)27% by 31st July (-)13% by 31st August and (-)18% by 30th September, 2009. Even though the deficit reduced to (-)13% and (-)18% by 31st August and 30th September respectively, there was wider variation in rainfall deficit in the various districts in the State ranging from (-)20% to (-)65%. This drought like situation caused serious damage to Kharif crops, more particularly Winter Paddy. The seedlings and stand crops were affected due to water scarcity.

 

The pattern of rainfall in the State during the Kharif season of 2009-10 is shown in the table below.

 

Rainfall in Assam during Kharif Season, 2009-10:

 

Period / Month

Actual rainfall received

Rainfall pattern in the State

Rainfall pattern in the Districts

April, 2009

145.2 mm against normal rainfall of 185.1 mm

(-)22% (deficient)

Deficient rainfall in 12 districts ranging from (-)24% to (-)80%

May, 2009

185.3 mm against normal rainfall of 334.4 mm

(-)45% (deficient)

Deficient rainfall in 17 districts ranging from (-)30% to (-)86%

June, 2009

270.7 mm against normal rainfall of 419.5 mm

(-)35% (deficient)

Deficient rainfall in 17 districts ranging from (-)20% to (-)77%

1st June to 31st July, 2009

611.9 mm against normal rainfall of 835.4 mm

(-)27% (deficient)

Deficient rainfall in 14 districts ranging from (-)20% to (-)72%

1st June to 31st August 2009

1021.3 mm against normal rainfall of 1176.1 mm

(-)13% (Normal)

Deficient rainfall in 6 districts ranging from (-)21% to (-)63%

1st June to 30th September, 2009

1181.9 mm against normal rainfall of 1434.1 mm

(-)18% (Normal)

Deficient rainfall in 8 districts ranging from (-)21% to (-)63%

Source: Economic Survey Assam, 2009-10