Rain fury to continue in Sep, IMD warns of more floods

August rainfall over north India the highest since 2001

- SANJEEB MUKHERJEE

After record rains lashed most parts of north and south India in August, the southwest monsoon is expected to remain vigorous in September as well, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said on Sunday.

The IMD predicted the all-India cumulative rainfall to be "above-normal" for the month at 109 per cent of the long period average (LPA). LPA is the rainfall recorded over a particular region for a given interval averaged over a long period of time, like 30 years or 50 years.

More heavy downpour could aggravate the already grim situation in the hill states, which have seen massive damage to lives and property due to relentless rains all through August. Also, surplus rains in September could damage the standing kharif crops due to lodging and inundation in fields.

Till August 22, kharif crops have been sown in around 107.39 million hectares, which is 3.54 million hectares more than the area covered during the same period last year, with paddy and maize leading the way.

The LPA for September is 167.9 millimetres, which is the last of the four-month monsoon season.