Monsoon In Bursts: Why Several States Are Flooded In 'Below-Normal' Year The first eight days of July brought a sharp increase in rainfall across several parts of the country, triggering floods, landslides, and cloudbursts despite an overall southwest monsoon rainfall deficit of 15.2% for the season. According to the India Meteorological Department, cumulative rainfall from June 1 to July 8, 2026, totaled 195.5 mm, falling short of the 1971-2020 normal of 230.4 mm. This deficit has raised concerns about the distribution of rainfall, as intense but short-lived downpours have caused widespread damage even in regions with below-normal totals. The uneven pattern of rainfall has led to extreme weather events in multiple states. In Kerala, Wayanad district experienced a 56% rainfall deficit since the monsoon began, yet heavy rain over two days in early July triggered landslides that killed five people. Despite the district remaining 26% below normal for the season, the concentrated rainfall on July 7 and 8—41% and 27% above normal, respectively—highlighted the risk of flooding and landslides in deficit areas. Similarly, Jammu and Kashmir faced cloudbursts, including in Doda district, where intense rainfall of 100 mm or more within an hour damaged homes, roads, and infrastructure. While most districts in the region remained in the normal or deficit category, areas like Samba and Udhampur recorded 83% and 79% excess rainfall, respectively. Maharashtra also saw severe impacts, with heavy rain causing flooding, waterlogging, and landslides in several districts. Mumbai and surrounding areas faced widespread disruption, including traffic gridlock and stranded vehicles. In Gurugram, major roads became severely waterlogged, halting normal activities.#maharashtra #climate_change #india_meteorological_department #jammu_and_kashmir #kerala_wayanad
