Above normal monsoon predicted for Mumbai. Alarm bells for BMC?
What's the story
Though Mumbai is reeling under terrible heat and humidity currently, there is good news in store.
The monsoon this year will be good, which means the city will receive more than normal rainfall (defined between 96% and 104% of a 50-year average of 89 mm for the entire four-month monsoon season)
Keeping this alert in mind, BMC should definitely expedite their pre-monsoon preparations.
Point noted?
Last year a grim reminder why BMC should be prepared
The civic body has not been much effective in managing the city during heavy monsoon.
Last year in August, Mumbai was paralyzed after receiving more than 300 mm rainfall, which is considered more than heavy rainfall as per IMD.
There was waterlogging in several parts, with schools and colleges remaining closed.
Mumbai's lifeline, the local train services, were completely disrupted.
Information
Which other parts expect good rainfall apart from Mumbai?
Not just Mumbai, other parts of Maharashtra like Pune, Nagpur, Nashik will receive good rainfall too. Other parts that are expected to receive above normal rainfall are Chhattisgarh, East Madhya Pradesh, and North-Marathwada. Since past two years, Marathwada has been receiving normal to good rainfall.
Good yield otherwise
Deficit rainfall predicted in peninsular region; worry for drought-stricken farmers
Skymet predicts that Northeast/NE and Southern Peninsular region will receive deficit rains.
While that might not be worrisome for NE, it will be a concern for farmers in the Peninsula, as they are already drought-stricken.
However, other regions will receive good rainfall in June, helping farmers in seed sowing.
Though rainfall will drop in July and August, it'll revive in September, boosting crop production.