The monsoon rainfall has declined by an average of 15-20 percent in the region in the last one decade.

“The analysis of monsoon rainfall data of over more than a decade in the region shows that the rainfall activity has declined by an average of 15-20 percent,” said Surender Pal, Director Meteorological Department while talking to The Pioneer.

He said, “Most of the years in the last one decade have witnessed deficient rainfall during monsoon season.”

During the ongoing monsoon season, Chandigarh has so far recorded 300.6 mm rainfall with no deviation from normal rainfall during this time. In July, the city has recorded 266.7 mm rains recording surplus of 4.8 mm from the normal level.

The neighboring state of Haryana has received 105.5 mm rainfall recording a deficit of 24 mm from normal rainfall of 139 mm during this time. Similarly, the Punjab has recorded 175.2 mm rains against the normal of 152.4 mm till now.

The Met Department has forecast that monsoon rainfall is likely to be normal this year.

Every year, the monsoon season begins with the onset of rains in June and ends in September.

 This year, the monsoon had reached Punjab, Haryana and their joint capital Chandigarh on July 2.

Surender Pal said that during last year’s monsoon season, Punjab had recorded surplus rainfall while Haryana had recorded deficit rains.

Punjab had received surplus rainfall of seven percent against the normal 491.9 mm while Haryana received 423.1 mm rainfall, recording a deficit of nine percent against the normal 466.3 mm.

In 2017, both Haryana and Punjab had recorded deficient rainfall. Punjab and Haryana had registered a deficit of 21 percent and 23 percent respectively. In 2016 again, Punjab recorded a departure of minus 28 percent while Haryana recorded 27 percent rainfall deficit, stated the data with the Meteorological Department.

Similarly in 2015, the rainfall deficit of 37 percent and 32 percent was registered in Haryana and Punjab respectively.  A huge departure of minus 57 percent and 50 percent was recorded in 2014 in Haryana and Punjab respectively.

Haryana and Punjab had recorded respective deficit of 22 percent and 2 percent in 2013, deficit of 39 and 46 percent in 2012 and 19 percent and 7 percent in 2011.

Surplus of 21 percent rainfall was recorded in Haryana in 2010, the data stated.