![](https://www.nextias.com/ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/6612663Screenshot_20220813-205551_One UI Home.jpg)
In Context
- In recent days, Jharkhand and Uttar Pradesh are experiencing the worst monsoon season of the century.
More about the news
- Uttar Pradesh and Jharkhand have never experienced such poor monsoon rainfall in the last 122 years.
- Jharkhand:
- Between June and August, the rainfall recorded over Jharkhand was 371.9mm against a normal of 627.6mm, a 41 percent seasonal deficit.
- This is the lowest ever rainfall recorded over Jharkhand (June to August) since 1901, according to the IMD’s rainfall.
- Only twice before in the last 122 years has Jharkhand experienced such poor rainfall.
- Uttar Pradesh:
- For Uttar Pradesh, too, the picture is grim, as the state has recorded only 251.7mm of the seasonal average of 449.1mm (June to August).
- UP is the most rain deficient Indian state this year and has remained so since the start of the monsoon season, like Jharkhand.
Causes of the drought:
- Low pressure systems in the Bay of Bengal:
- This season, only three low pressure systems developed in the Bay of Bengal, mostly off the coast of Odisha.
- None of these systems impacted Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh or Bihar.
- Thus, one of the two rain-bearing causes remained out of favour for these states.
- The monsoon trough:
- In addition, this year, the monsoon trough –
- An east-west low-pressure area extending from the heat low over Pakistan to head Bay of Bengal.
- remained to the south of its normal position for majority of the days in July and in August, so far.
- How does it affect?
- The monsoon trough’s location, oscillation, and duration over a specific location, all directly affect the rainfall activity over the regions exactly to the south of its position.
- That is, when it is located to the south of its normal position, there is active or vigorous rainfall over most parts of central, peninsular India regions.
- When it shifts to the north of its normal position or lays along the Himalayan foothills, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, West Bengal and the northeastern states benefit.
- In addition, this year, the monsoon trough –
- Such unfavorable conditions contributed to high rainfall deficits throughout the season.
About Droughts
Impacts
|
Way Ahead
- Food and water scarcity are going to be the real issues in the country’s major rice producing states, with a potential to affect India’s kharif produce this year.
- In UP, the Agriculture Meteorology division has advised carrying out the transplantation of rice and suggested the use of short-duration rice varieties.
- Experts have encouraged the cultivation of red gram.
- Farmers are also recommended to opt for inter-cropping.
- For farmers in Jharkhand, the Agri met has suggested adopting measures to conserve moisture in the soil.
- No sowing is advised until there is 50 to 60mm rainfall and sufficient moisture for at least three consecutive days.
- Short duration rice, millet, maize, and arhar must be considered for cultivation during the rest of the season.
Source: IE
Previous article
Formation of Continents
Next article
Dornier Maritime Surveillance Aircraft