Dry spell in J&K, Ladakh: Dec 2023 last year’s most arid month, reveals IMD
16 out of 20 J&K districts experience ‘large deficient’ rainfall
Faizan Arif
Srinagar, Jan 03 (KNO): December 2023 unfolded as the most arid month of the year for the union territories of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh, recording a deficit of 79% and 100%, respectively.
J&K registered a mere 12.6 mm of rainfall, significantly below the average of 59.4 mm, while there was a complete absence of rainfall in Ladakh.
Data from the India Meteorological Department, assessed by the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) revealed that among the 20 districts in Jammu and Kashmir, 16 experienced ‘large deficient’ rainfall while two districts recorded ‘deficient’ rainfall. Data for the Kishtwar and Poonch districts was not available.
In Ladakh, both Kargil and Leh districts registered ‘no rainfall’. Rajouri exhibited the highest deficiency in Jammu and Kashmir, with a staggering 96% deficit, followed by Kathua at 92%, Shopian and Reasi at 90% each, Samba at 89%, Udhampur at 87%, Ramban at 82%, Baramulla and Jammu at 79% each, Bandipora at 78%, Kulgam and Kupwara at 75% each, Ganderbal at 69%, Doda at 68%, Anantnag at 65%, and Srinagar at 62%.
Pulwama and Budgam were the only two districts that received ‘deficient’ rainfall, facing deficits of 55% and 49%, respectively.
When comparing deviations from the norm, IMD data disclosed that October stood out as the wettest month of the year, exhibiting a substantial 141% surplus rainfall. February turned out to be the second driest month with a rainfall deficit of 69%, followed by March at 48% and August at 29%.
Except for a decent spell around December 01, 2023, the month lacked active Western Disturbances.
According to the analysis based on the Global Forecast System (GFS) weather model from the National Centers for Environmental Prediction (NCEP), a total of 6 Western Disturbances influenced both Union Territories during the month, with the majority being weak and failing to bring any rain or snow.
January this year commenced on a dry note, with no forecasts of an active Western Disturbance for the upcoming week.
It is noteworthy to mention that in the previous year, January recorded a substantial 42% surplus rainfall, following a significant 78% deficit in December 2022—(KNO)
