Hyderabad: Despite an El Niño year that typically weakens monsoon rains, Telangana closed the southwest monsoon season in the normal category, thanks to a series of weather systems that helped offset rainfall losses. Yet the statewide picture concealed a stark reality: More than half the state’s districts ended the season with deficient rainfall.As the southwest monsoon drew to a close on Wednesday, Telangana received 615.5 mm of rainfall against its normal 740.6 mm, leaving it with a deficit of 17%. While this keeps the state within the IMD’s normal rainfall category, 18 of its 33 districts recorded deficient rainfall during the June 1-Sept 30 season.Weather experts attributed the relatively better statewide performance to remnants of cyclones that originated in the western Pacific, moved through Myanmar into the Bay of Bengal, and later influenced weather over central and peninsular India. These systems brought rain to parts of Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, and adjoining districts of Telangana, helping to contain the overall deficit.El Niño conditions generally suppress monsoon rainfall over India by reducing the formation of low pressure systems and depressions over the Bay of Bengal. However, experts noted that its impact is not always direct, as other oceanic and atmospheric factors can partly counter its influence.Former IMD director general KJ Ramesh said warming over the western Pacific played a crucial role this year. Cyclone remnants entering the northern Bay of Bengal re-intensified and made the monsoon more vigorous along their tracks, triggering widespread rainfall across parts of the Indian peninsula.He also pointed to increased western disturbances, which enhanced moisture inflow from the Arabian Sea and contributed to heavy rainfall over Maharashtra and Gujarat. The movement of these weather systems through central India and neighbouring states brought rainfall to several Telangana districts that otherwise may have experienced a larger shortfall under El Niño conditions.However, the state-level classification masks sharp regional variations. The districts that recorded deficient rainfall were: Adilabad, Nirmal, Bhadradri Kothagudem, Warangal, Hanumakonda, Jangaon, Yadadri Bhuvanagiri, Medchal Malkajgiri, Hyderabad, Vikarabad, Mahbubnagar, Jogulamba Gadwal, Wanaparthy, Nagarkurnool, Nalgonda, Suryapet, Khammam and Narayanpet.Rainfall distribution was uneven throughout the season. June ended with a 12% deficit, while July was almost normal with only a 1% shortfall. The situation worsened in Aug, which recorded a steep 38% deficit, and Sept also remained below normal for most of the month.The June-Sept monsoon season is critical for Telangana, accounting for nearly 80% of the state’s annual normal rainfall of 923.8 mm. It plays a vital role in agriculture, groundwater recharge and reservoir storage across the state.
