Despite recent downpour, monsoon deficit in Wayanad stays at 50%
Despite recent heavy rainfall, the Wayanad district in India continues to face a 50% monsoon rainfall deficit compared to historical averages. Experts attribute the ongoing water scarcity to the combined effects of climate change and the El Niño phenomenon.
Why it matters
Persistent rainfall deficits in agricultural regions like Wayanad pose significant risks to local food security, water management, and the livelihoods of farmers.
Though Wayanad has witnessed heavy rain over the past few days, cumulative southwest monsoon rainfall in the hill district remains around 50% below normal after the first two months of the season.
Data released by the Hume Weather Lab of the Hume Centre for Ecology and Wildlife Biology shows that Wayanad received only 802 mm of average rainfall between June 1 and July 31, against the India Meteorological department (IMD) normal of 1,600 mm for the period.
This year, the onset of the southwest monsoon was delayed, a phenomenon experts attributed to the combined influence of global climate change and the El Niño phenomenon.
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