Dehradun: In a significant meteorological shift, Uttarakhand has recorded surplus rainfall for the month of January, marking the first such occurrence since the withdrawal of the southwest monsoon last year. This development comes as a relief, ending a prolonged dry spell that had previously pushed the state into a concerning 100% rainfall deficit until the third week of the month, according to data released by the India Meteorological Department (IMD).
Monthly Rainfall Analysis Shows Positive Trend
The monthly district-wise rainfall summary for January reveals that Uttarakhand received an average of 43.3 mm of precipitation against a normal expectation of 39.7 mm. This translates to a notable 9% surplus, indicating a substantial recovery from earlier deficit conditions.
District-Wise Performance Highlights
Several districts demonstrated remarkable rainfall performance during this period. Bageshwar district recorded the highest excess at an impressive 126%, followed closely by Nainital with 85%, Almora at 61%, and Dehradun with 25%. However, not all areas shared in this positive trend. Tehri Garhwal, Pauri Garhwal, Pithoragarh, and Rudraprayag continued to report below-normal rainfall, highlighting regional variations within the state.
Dramatic Recovery in Final Week
The remarkable turnaround was primarily driven by intense wet spells during the final week of January, particularly on January 23rd and between January 27th and 28th. These periods saw active western disturbances affecting large parts of the state, bringing much-needed precipitation. Until January 21st, most districts had experienced no measurable rain or snowfall since December, making the late-month recovery particularly significant.
Weekly Data Reveals Extraordinary Surplus
Weekly data covering January 21st to 28th paints an even more dramatic picture. During this critical period, the state received 42.8 mm of rainfall against a normal expectation of just 11.9 mm, representing an extraordinary surplus of 259%. Bageshwar again led the way with a staggering 668% surplus, followed by Nainital at 511%, Almora at 445%, and Uttarkashi at 393%.
Meteorological Explanation and Future Outlook
CS Tomar, director of the Regional Meteorological Centre, provided insight into the weather patterns behind this development. "Two active western disturbances triggered rain and snowfall in two distinct spells," he explained. "The first occurred on January 23rd, followed by another significant event on January 27th." Tomar also indicated that another wet spell is expected in early February, suggesting continued precipitation activity in the region.
Agricultural Benefits and Infrastructure Challenges
While the precipitation has helped offset the rainfall deficit and is expected to benefit winter crops, it has also presented some challenges. Snowfall led to temporary road blockages and power disruptions in certain hill districts, affecting local infrastructure and daily life. Officials have noted that improved winter rainfall is anticipated to aid soil moisture recharge and enhance water availability in the coming months, potentially benefiting agricultural planning and water resource management.
This meteorological development represents a significant shift from the dry conditions that had persisted since the monsoon withdrawal, offering both opportunities and challenges for Uttarakhand's agricultural sector and water management systems as the state moves further into the winter season.
