August logs excess rainfall; trend to persist in Sept: IMD

Delhi ended August with a monthly rainfall excess of 72%, and September is expected to start on an equally ‘wet note, according to data and forecasts made by the India Meteorological Department (IMD)—it has already issued a yellow alert for Monday, predicting moderate showers across the city, with isolated pockets likely to receive heavy rainfall.

- Jasjeev Gandhiok

The IMD attributed the rainfall prediction to a combination of the monsoon trough and active weather systems, including a western disturbance. The IMD on Sunday also issued its monthly forecast for September, stating northwest India, including Delhi, is likely to record above “normal” rainfall in the month.

August ended with a monthly rainfall total of 400.1mm, which is 72% over the monthly long-period average (LPA) of 233.1mm. This is the wettest August since 2010, when Delhi logged 455.1mm of rainfall, according to the data.

Generally, going by past trends, September typically receives 123.5mm of rainfall, but logged excess rain last year, receiving nearly 200mm of rainfall.

An excess this year is likely to push Delhi's annual rainfall total beyond the 1,000mm mark.