The Ministry of Earth Sciences has revealed in a data that India has been witnessing increasing events of 'extremely heavy' and 'very heavy' rainfall since 2012.
According to the data, 185 weather stations across the nation reported 'extremely heavy' rainfall while in 2020, this increased to 341 jumping to nearly 85 per cent. 2019 itself saw around 554 stations reporting 'extremely heavy' rainfall, the highest since 2012.
The data from the Ministry of Health Sciences also stated that rainfall recorded below 15 mm is considered 'light', between 15 and 64.5 mm is 'moderate', between 64.5 mm and 115.5 mm is 'heavy' and between 115.6 mm and 204.4 mm is 'very heavy'.
According to IMD, anything above 204.4 mm is considered as 'extremely heavy' rainfall.
As per reports, June to September is the period for the Southwest monsoon and is considered as the main rainy season for the Indian subcontinent.
Over different parts of the country during the monsoon season of 2020, 'heavy' to 'very heavy' and 'extremely heavy' rainfall events occurred. Due to such events, parts of Himachal Pradesh, Maharashtra, Kerala, Uttar Pradesh, Assam, Bihar and Telangana suffered extreme flooding.
Reports further said that in 2020, the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) had rescued and evacuated 19,241 people and 334 livestock.
Among the states, West Bengal reported the highest 258 deaths due to heavy rains and floods which was followed by Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat, both reporting 190 deaths each.
The Ministry stated that several scientific studies bring out the possible linkage of climate change with the sudden occurrence of rainfall and temperature extremes.
This year, monsoon arrived in Maharashtra and Goa two days in advance of its normal onset date calculated.
The monsoon progressed very quickly over most parts of the country. It covered most of India in only 10 days mainly due to active monsoon circulation and the formation of a low-pressure area over Bay of Bengal, said The India Meteorological Department (IMD).
IMD further added that due to approaching of mid-latitude westerlies winds, the further progress of monsoon over remaining parts of northwest India is likely to be slow.
