As the southwest monsoon season draws to a close for the year 2023, it’s time to reflect on the rainfall patterns and their impact across the country. The southwest monsoon, which typically spans from June to September, plays a crucial role in India’s agricultural and environmental cycles. Let’s take a closer look at the highlights of the South-West Monsoon for 2023.
Overall Rainfall Statistics
During the southwest monsoon season of 2023, the country received a total rainfall that amounted to 94% of its long-period average (LPA). This LPA serves as a reference point, considering historical rainfall data over an extended period. It’s essential to understand whether the monsoon performance for a particular year is above, below, or near the average.
“The 94% figure indicates that the rainfall across the country during this monsoon season was close to the long-term average. This level of rainfall is crucial for replenishing water sources, supporting agricultural activities, and maintaining ecological balance”.
Distribution Across the Country
Analyzing the distribution of rainfall across different regions of the country is vital to understanding its impact on various states and communities. In the case of the South-West Monsoon 2023, approximately 73% of the total area experienced rainfall that was in line with the long-period average.
“This means that a significant portion of India received monsoon rainfall that was neither significantly above nor below the historical average. Such balanced rainfall patterns are generally favorable for agriculture and water resources management”.
Subdivisions with Deficient Rainfall
“While most parts of the nation experienced rainfall near the long-term average, it’s important to emphasize that there were regional disparities in the South-West Monsoon 2023 performance.” Specifically, 7 subdivisions covering approximately 18% of the total area reported deficient seasonal rainfall”.
Deficient rainfall in certain subdivisions can have significant consequences for agriculture, water availability, and overall economic activities in those areas. Localized variations in monsoon performance highlight the need for region-specific strategies to manage the impact of irregular rainfall.
