This lull in rains has raised concerns about whether the city is heading towards a dry August. The driest August till now was in the year 1972, when 108.6mm rains were recorded for the month. Last year, the total rains recorded for the month of August was 551.8mm.
By the end of July, rainfall in the city had covered up the seasons required average of 2,318.8mm despite a delayed start to the monsoons. Monsoon onset over Mumbai this year was declared on June 25 as against the official date of June 11. Scientists explained that the reason for the delayed onset was cyclone Biparjoy, which had formed in the Arabian Sea earlier this month and drove away the moisture, making timely onset unfavorable.
Since the start of August, there has not been any intense rain activity in Mumbai. Although IMD officials have anticipated an increase in rainfall activity in parts of Mumbai and Thane, no significant heavy rainfall activity is expected until at least August 24.
In its five-day forecast, the IMD has said that between August 19 and 20, parts of Mumbai, Thane and Palghar may see moderate rain activity. For August 21-22 too, light to moderate rainfall can be expected. Sushma Nair, scientist IMD, said that a low pressure area lies over Northwest Bay of Bengal and adjoining West Bengal-north Odisha coasts which is likely to move west-northwest wards across north Odisha and north Chhattisgarh in the next 2-3 days.
“The rainfall for the month of August has been deficient so far, however with a low pressure area having formed, there may be slight increase in rain activity, but not the kind the city witnessed in July,” she said.
