TN records 20 pc deficit rainfall

The monsoon has failed to quench the thirst of Tamil Nadu, which has recorded 20 per cent deficit rainfall between June 1 and August 6.

Nearly two months after the arrival of the South-West monsoon, as many as 21 of the 32 districts in the state have received less rainfall, the latest statistics from Regional Meteorological Centre at Chennai said.

So far, only Chennai, Kancheepuram, Erode and a few more districts have received normal rain this monsoon. Madurai, however, recorded deficient rainfall.

Accordingly, Chennai (305mm) and Kancheepuram (276 mm) received 34 per cent and 17 per cent more rain, respectively, this year.

Another aspect of the rainfall pattern this time is that the Coimbatore and coastal Karaikal, which normally received poor rain during monsoon, have recorded excess rainfall.

According to statistics, Coimbatore recorded 437 mm against its usual level of 100 mm rain.

“The South-West monsoon will extend till September. Therefore, the state is expected to receive rainfall in the coming weeks,” a senior Met department official told Deccan Herald.

Referring to the rain that Coimbatore received in the last few weeks, he said this was  monsoon rain and there was no way to predict its pattern.

He said usually, south Tamil Nadu will get more rain during South-West monsoon and northern parts of the state receive good rain only during North-East monsoon period.