Excelsior Correspondent
Srinagar, Dec 13: Kashmir has recorded a massive rainfall deficit since October 1, with six districts falling in the ‘deficit’ category and four in the more severe ‘large deficient’ category, according to the latest rainfall data released by the India Meteorological Department (IMD).
At the subdivision level, Jammu and Kashmir received 64.5 mm of rainfall against a normal of 77.5 mm during the period from October 1 to December 10, recording a departure of minus 17 percent, which falls within the ‘normal’ range.
However, the district-wise data presents a concerning picture, with widespread dryness across large parts of the Kashmir region.
Six districts have been placed in the ‘deficit’ category. Srinagar recorded a rainfall deficit of 47 per cent, Pulwama 44 per cent, Ganderbal 48 per cent, Kulgam 49 per cent and Kupwara 46 per cent.
In the Jammu division, Poonch recorded a rainfall departure of minus 12 percent, which is classified as ‘normal’.
Four districts-three in Kashmir and one in Jammu-have been categorised as ‘large deficient’, indicating a severe rainfall shortfall.
Under this category, Bandipora recorded a deficit of 65 per cent, Baramulla 67 per cent, Kishtwar 64 per cent and Shopian 78 per cent.
The cold desert regions of Kargil and Leh have also witnessed acute rainfall shortages. Kargil recorded a deficit of 93 per cent, while Leh recorded 66 per cent, both falling under the ‘large deficient’ category.
As per the IMD’s official rainfall deviation scale, rainfall departure is categorised as ‘large excess’ when it is 60 per cent or more above normal, ‘excess’ when it ranges between 20 per cent and 59 per cent, and ‘normal’ when it lies between 19 per cent above normal and 19 per cent below normal.
Rainfall is termed ‘deficient’ when the departure ranges from minus 20 percent to minus 59 percent, and ‘large deficient’ when it ranges from minus 60 per cent to minus 99 per cent.
A departure of minus 100 percent is classified as ‘no rain’, while ‘no data’ is used when rainfall information is unavailable.
In contrast to the dry conditions prevailing in most districts, a few areas have recorded significant excess rainfall.
According to the data, Samba witnessed an exceptionally high rainfall surplus of 162 per cent, placing it in the ‘large excess’ category.
Rajouri recorded a surplus of 67 per cent, while Kathua, Doda and Reasi recorded excess rainfall of 59 per cent, 54 per cent and 54 per cent respectively, all falling in the ‘excess’ category.
Meanwhile, an independent weather forecaster, Kashmir Weather, has predicted that dry weather is likely to dominate across J&K for at least another seven days.
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