Jammu, Aug 23: The monsoon shortfall in Jammu region has shown considerable recovery during the month of August, while average rainfall continues to elude Kashmir valley this season.
Sources in the Metrological Department informed Greater Kashmir that against monthly average of 652.9 mm, Jammu region received 690 mm rainfall till August 22, recording a six percent increase.
“Though six percent is not a huge increase, but it could be construed as a considerable recovery from the shortfall of first two months of this monsoon season.  Generally 19 mm above or below is considered as average. But it was a great relief if viewed in the backdrop of early dry spell,” sources said.
However, Kashmir valley continues to reel under deficit monsoon with the region recording just  83.7 mm of rainfall till August 22 against the normal rainfall of 142.7 mm, sources said  adding; “Continuing the  initial trend, during August Kashmir region recorded  41 percent deficit rains”.
They further said that moderate to heavy rainfall experienced during last some days were caused due to good currents of monsoon winds active over Jammu region. “The strong currents of monsoon winds will cause more rainfall in coming days. In the next two days there will be respite from rainfall but from 25th August onwards there will be more moderate to heavy rainfall in entire region,” weathermen said.
They said that the monsoon winds remain active over Jammu region till September 15 and this year it may extend by some weeks. “As per weather observations, the rainfall in Jammu region will continue till September first week and after that the scope of rainfall will depend on the strength of monsoon winds,” they said, adding that Kashmir valley is also likely to experience rainfall in coming days.
Pertinently against average   56.4 mm, Jammu region recorded just 7.9 mm rainfall in the month of June and against an average of 34.5 mm valley received just 21.6 mm rainfall.
In the month of July, the Jammu region   experienced 276.9 mm of rainfall against an average of 388.4 mm which was 29 percent deficit, while in Kashmir valley it was 50 percent deficit at 46.0 mm against an average of 92.6 mm.
Meanwhile, following incessant rains being experienced across Jammu province, most of the rivers including Chenab, Tawi, Ujj and Ravi are flowing above normal level flooding many low lying areas.
All the seasonal ravines have also witnessed floods while the water level in Chenab river has touched 28.6 feet - only 4 feet below the danger mark. The water level in Tawi, Ujj and Ravi Rivers was also flowing above the normal level but below the danger mark.

Lastupdate on : Thu, 23 Aug 2012 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Thu, 23 Aug 2012 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Fri, 24 Aug 2012 00:00:00 IST