India Major Cities (Population above 2 million) 2011 yearly Rainfall till 27.08.2011

Rainfall in cm year total

1. Mumbai – 237
2. Kolkata – 122
3. Lucknow – 95
4. Bangalore – 83
5. Surat – 79
6. Chennai – 70
7. Nagpur – 67
8. Ahmedabad – 62
9. Pune – 55
10. Jaipur – 50
11. Delhi – 48
12. Hyderabad – 47

Chennai NEM is yet to begin. Will it catch second place at the year end?

Kollur crosses 6000 mm and manages to lead SWM toppers till 27.08.2011

The race to be the wettest place in India during SWM 2011 is hotting up and we have only one month to go. September which is considered to be the least wettest during SWM has always thrown surprises. There are only few contenders to take the top spot, one of the surprise entrant is Kollur in Karnataka, which has managed to cross 6000 mm in August itself.

The break up of Kollur Rainfall are as follows -

1. 1000 mm - 15 days
2. 2000 mm - 28 days (13 days for the 1000 mm)
3. 3000 mm - 36 days (8 days for the 1000 mm)
4. 4000 mm - 48 days (12 days for the 1000 mm)
5. 5000 mm - 65 days (17 days for the 1000 mm)
6. 6000 mm - 88 days (23 days for the 1000 mm)

All India SWM toppers from 01.06.2011 to 27.08.2011 (88 days)

Rainfall in mm's (Min 3500 mm)

1. Kollur (Karnataka) - 6022
2. Agumbe (Karnataka) - 5879
3. Sangameshwar (Maharashtra) - 5772
4. Gaganbawada (Maharashtra) - 5267
5. Cherrapunji (Meghalaya) - 5184
6. Mulshi (Maharashtra) - 4810
7. Mahabaleshwar (Maharashtra) - 4529
8. Bhira (Maharashtra) - 4392
9. Kadra (Karnataka) - 4326
   
10. Radhanagri (Maharashtra) - 4268
11. Siddapura (Karnataka) - 4137
12. Gerosoppa (Karnataka) - 4092
13. Gorkhana (Karnataka) - 3981
14. Koyna (Maharashtra) - 3959
15. Rajapur (Maharashtra) - 3947
16. Mandangad (Maharashtra) - 3830
17. Chinnakallar (Tamil Nadu) - 3792
18. Lanja (Maharashtra) - 3754
    
19. Ratnagiri (Maharashtra) - 3753
20. Tillari (Maharashtra) - 3733
21. Kanakavali (Maharashtra) - 3724
22. Valpoi (Goa) - 3713
23. Lonavala (Maharashtra) - 3691
24. Karkala (Karnataka) - 3690
25. Bhagamandala (Karnataka) - 3674
26. Quepem (Goa) - 3615
27. Chiplun (Maharashtra) - 3500
    

Places such as Tamini, Hulikal, Nilkund, Mawsynarm, Amboli and Castle Rock would have also made above 3500 mm list.

Records breaking Heavy rains in Chennai in August 2011

Heavy rains lashed the city late in the evening on Wednesday and went on to mid night. The lack of usable storm water drains was felt keenly, as many places were flooded. As much as two to three feet of water was seen on most of the roads. The intensity of the rain sometimes was more than 100 mm/hr.

Records Broken

The all-time record for 24hrs rainfall in August till yesterday for Chennai was 100.3 mm recorded on 20.08.2008. Yesterday (25.08.2011) rainfall at Chennai was 156.2 mm.

The all-time record for Monthly in August for Chennai is 336.3 mm recorded 117 years ago during the year 1894. Till yesterday (25.08.2011) the monthly rainfall at Chennai was 329.7 mm. Chennai needs just 6 mm more to break the 117 year record and it has 5 more days to go. I personally think the record will be broken.

Rainfall ending 8.30 am at 25.08.2011 (Places in and around Chennai)

Chennai (Nungabakkam) – 156 mm
Korattur - 105
Chembarabakkam - 60
Kadambathur – 60
Arakkonam – 38
Red Hills - 27
Poondi – 21
Cholavaram - 21
Chennai Airport (Meenambakkam) – 16
Ennore – 14
Gummidipoondi – 14
Tamaraipakkam - 10
Madhavaram – 7
Poondi – 9
Ellapuram – 8
Katpadi – 7
Madhavaram – 5

All India SWM toppers from 01.06.2011 to 21.08.2011

I have added some more new stations (Koyna, Mulshi, Lonavala, Radhanagri and Tillari ) to the list.

Rainfall in mm's (Min 3000 mm)

1. Kollur (Karnataka) - 5892
2. Agumbe (Karnataka) - 5664
3. Sangameshwar (Maharashtra) - 5542
4. Gaganbawada (Maharashtra) - 5137
5. Cherrapunji (Meghalaya) - 5104
6. Mulshi (Maharashtra) - 4651
7. Mahabaleshwar (Maharashtra) - 4371
8. Kadra (Karnataka) - 4266
9. Bhira (Maharashtra) - 4172
10. Radhanagri (Maharashtra) - 4171
11. Siddapura (Karnataka) - 3967
12. Gorkhana (Karnataka) - 3921
13. Rajapur (Maharashtra) - 3847
14. Gerosoppa (Karnataka) - 3831
15. Koyna (Maharashtra) - 3822
16. Lanja (Maharashtra) - 3654
17. Valpoi (Goa) - 3623
18. Bhagamandala (Karnataka) - 3614
19. Ratnagiri (Maharashtra) - 3608
20. Tillari (Maharashtra) - 3607
21. Chinnakallar (Tamil Nadu) - 3602
22. Quepem (Goa) - 3575
23. Kanakavali (Maharashtra) - 3544
24. Mandangad (Maharashtra) - 3500
25. Lonawala (Maharashra) - 3477
26. Karkala (Karnataka) - 3471
27. Vadakara (Kerala) - 3408
28. Mhasla (Maharashtra) - 3322
29. Sawantwadi (Maharashtra) - 3300
30. Bhaktal (Karnataka) - 3287
31. Chiplun (Maharashtra) - 3259
32. Honavar (Karnataka) - 3185
33. Malvan (Maharashtra) - 3170
34. Sanguem (Goa) - 3159
35. Udupi (Karnataka) - 3044

Many other heavy rainfall places which receive rainfall above 4000 mm and have failed to rock this year are as follows - Kottigehara 2947, Matheran 2767, Shirali 2761, Devala 2578, Buxaduar 2530, Vythiri 2299, Peermade 1929 and Passighat 1492 have got below normal rains so far. (Kerala and Tamilnadu places above have NEM quota to fulfill their annual rainfall)

Places such as Tamini, Hulikal, Nilkund, Mawsynarm, Amboli and Castle Rock would have also made above 3000 mm list.

The Living Bridges of Cherrapunji

In an remote corner of Northeast India lives an indigenous tribal people who have been mostly left alone until the past hundred years. Without the amenities of modern technology or engineering, the War-Khasi people have designed an absolutely ingenious way to cross rivers and gulches; manipulating living tree roots to form natural bridges.


The Ficus elastica is a type of rubber tree native to the region. In addition to their massive size and manipulability, the trees have a secondary root system that is essential to the construction of the bridges. They grow out from higher up in the trunk due to their tendency to live above water sources and dip far down into the rivers. Hundreds of years ago, the Khasi people realized the potential benefit of these roots and began to shape them to their advantage.


By taking the trunks of betel nut trees, hollowing them out and cutting in them in half, the tribespeople show the roots where they want them to grow. As the roots slowly grow in search of water, their path continues down the inside of the betel trunk, across the length of the river or ravine. One they arrive at their destination, they’re allowed to dig into the soil and grow strong, and do they ever grow strong.


After about 10-15 years of traveling across the river, the root bridges can eventually hold over 5,000 pounds of weight. Some of them are up to 100 feet in length and the oldest of the bunch is believed to have been constructed around the 16th century.


In recent years, the Khasis actually wanted to get with the times and tear down the bridges to make way for steel ones. It wasn’t until a local resort owner stepped in and realized the worth of these ancient marvels. He convinced them to keep them up and began to photograph them to show the bridges off to the world. Some of them are absolutely stunning, but most magnificent of them all is the Umshiang Double-Decker, shown below.


The Khasis even recently started to grow another bridge.

Source: www.thereifixedit.failblog.org
Courtesy: Atlas Obscura and Tree Hugger.

Rainfall Toppers in Tamil Nadu from 1.6.2011 to 18.8.2011

Rainfall in mm (min 500 mm)

1. Chinnakallar (Coimbatore) - 3488
2. Devala (Nilgiris) - 2508
   
3. Sholayar (Coimbatore) - 2037
4. Valparai (Coimbatore) - 1982
5. Parsons Valley (Nilgiris) - 1611
6. Naduvattam (Nilgiris) - 1498
7. Upper Bhavani (Nilgris) - 1465
8. Porthimund (Nilgiris) - 1393
   
9. Periyar Dam (Theni) - 1086
10. Glenmorgan (Nilgiris) - 922
11. Emerland (Nilgiris) - 898
    
12. Upper Kodayar (Kanyakumari) - 784
13. Pykara (Nilgiris) - 730
14. Lower Kodayar (Kanyakumari) - 666
15. Mukurthy (Nilgris) - 531
    
16. Eravangalar (Theni) - 511
    

All India SWM Rainfall from 01.06.2011 to 15.08.2011 (75 days)

Rainfall in mm's (Min 3500 mm)

1. Amgaon (Karnataka) - 6059
2. Kollur (Karnataka) - 5657
3. Kitwade (Maharashtra) - 5652
4. Dajipur (Maharashtra) - 5503
5. Agumbe (Karnataka) - 5432
6. Sangameshwar (Maharashtra) - 5179
7. Kanakumbi (Karanataka) - 5093
8. Gaganbawada (Maharashtra) - 5023
9. Talacavery (Karnataka) - 4667
10. Castle Rock (Karnataka) - 4645
11. Gavali (Karnataka) - 4593
12. Cherrapunji (Meghalaya) - 4524
13. Mulshi (Maharashtra) - 4438
14. Patagon (Maharashtra) - 4432
15. Mahabaleshwar (Maharashtra) - 4356
16. Mulikar (Karnataka) - 4268
17. Amasebail (Karnataka) - 4192
18. Kerveshe (Karnataka)- 4147
19. Lajul (Maharashtra) - 4092
20. Radhanagri (Maharashtra) - 4038
21. Kadra (Karnataka) - 4033
22. Kasari (Maharashtra) - 4003
23. Albadi (Karnataka) - 3946
24. Halady (Karnataka) - 3942
25. Bhira (Maharashtra) - 3940
26. Malgund (Maharashtra) - 3851
27. Hardkhala (Maharashtra) - 3847
28. Chatav (Maharashtra) - 3800 
29. Siddapura (Karnataka) - 3797
30. Koyna Dam (Maharashtra) - 3734 
31. Kedinje (Karnataka) - 3711
32. Nandivase (Maharashtra) - 3705 
33. Naladi (Karnataka) - 3700
34. Soliwade (Maharashtra) - 3679
35. Gerosoppa (Karnataka) - 3617
36. Karak (Maharashtra) - 3614
37. Umgaon (Maharashtra) - 3570
38. Bhagamandala (Karnataka) - 3524
39. Rajapur (Maharashtra) - 3514
40. Gorkhana (Karnataka) - 3533
41. Valpoi (Goa) - 3520
42. Ajekar (Karanataka) - 3511
43. Quepem (Goa) - 3510
44. Katagal (Karnataka)  - 3501
45. Dapoli (Maharashtra) ~ 3500 
46. Ratnagiri (Maharashtra) ~ 3500
47. Puttige (Maharashtra) ~ 3500
48. Pawas (Maharashtra) ~ 3500
49. Kurdhunda (Maharashtra) ~ 3500
50. Vaibhavwadi (Maharashtra) ~ 3500
51. Tillari (Maharashtra) ~ 3500
52. Kurdhunda (Maharashtra) ~ 3500
53. Chinnakallar (Tamil Nadu) ~ 3500
54. Vendse (Karnataka) ~ 3500
55. Chapoli (Karnataka) ~ 3500

Many other heavy rainfall places which receive rainfall above 4000 mm such as Buxaduar, Matheran, Passighat, Devala and Shirali have got below normal rains so far.

Places such as Tamini, Hulikal, Mawsynarm, would have also made above 3500 mm list.

Dam Levels in Tamil Nadu as on 15.08.2011

The South west monsoon is a failure in most of the district of Tamil Nadu except Chennai, Tiruvallur, Coimbatore and Nilgiris. The reservoirs which give water supply to Chennai have better storage compared to last year figures. Some big dams in Coimbatore district such as Sholayar, Parambikulam, Upper Aliyar and Thunnakkadavu are full or nearing full capacity. Except 4 districts quoted above, the storage is not looking good. But the good thing is during the past week SWM is getting active in these central and coastal districts wihch has got below normal rains. Before the NEM starts, the storage will improve further.

Click on the image to open in a new page.

Tamil Nadu Rainfall Toppers during SWM 2011

The two giants have occupied the first two spots clearly shows that in TN, Chinna Kallar and Devala has no fair competitors. Upper Kodayar and Upper Bhavani have got very less compared to is normal rains.

Rainfall in mm from 1.6.2011 to 4.8.2011

1. Chinnakallar (Coimbatore) - 2817
2. Devala (Nilgiris) - 2191
   
3. Sholayar (Coimbatore) - 1740
4. Valparai (Coimbatore) - 1573
5. Parsons Valley (Nilgiris) - 1549
6. Naduvattam (Nilgiris) - 1314
7. Upper Bhavani (Nilgris) - 1288
8. Porthimund (Nilgiris) - 1270
   
9. Periyar Dam (Theni) - 953
10. Emerland (Nilgiris) - 798
    
11. Upper Kodayar (Kanyakumari) - 740
12. Glenmorgan (Nilgiris) - 733
13. Pykara (Nilgiris) - 621
14. Lower Kodayar (Kanyakumari) - 592
15. Tiruvallur - 390
    

Sangameshwar crosses 5000 mm and overtakes Kollur for the race of wettest place during SWM 2011

What a rainfall Sangameshwar had in 2011. Kollur was leading Sangameshwar by more than 1000 mm during mid July. In last 5 days, Sangameshwar has got 840 mm and it was enough to overtake Kollur. The much famed Cherrapunji got 250 mm today. Will its legendery rainfall start, we can see that by end of September. I have missed noting down many places such as Tamini, Lonavala and Koyna.

Rainfall Toppers from 01.06.2011 to 03.08.2011 (64 days)

Rainfall in mm's

1. Sangameshwar (Maharashtra) - 5036
2. Kollur (Karnataka) - 4982
3. Gaganbawada (Maharashtra) - 4485
4. Agumbe (Karnataka) - 4439
5. Mahabaleshwar (Maharashtra) - 3600
6. Kadra (Karnataka) - 3576
   
7. Rajapur (Maharashtra) - 3507
8. Cherrapunji (Meghalaya) - 3488
9. Ratnagiri (Maharashtra) - 3324
   
10. Bhira (Maharashtra) - 3312
11. Lanja (Maharashtra) - 3280
12. Quepem (Goa) - 3255
    
13. Siddapura (Karnataka) - 3217
14. Gersoppa (Karnataka) - 3177
    
15. Valopi (Goa) - 3153

Rainfall Toppers from 01.06.2011 to 31.07.2011 (61 days)

Rainfall in mm's (Min 2500 mm)

1. Kollur (Karnataka) - 4832
2. Dajipur (Maharashtra) - 4654
3. Sangameshwar (Maharashtra) - 4375
4. Gaganbawada (Maharashtra) - 4223
5. Agumbe (Karnataka) - 4166
6. Kitwade (Maharashtra) - 4000
7. Lajul (Maharashtra) - 3555
8. Kadra (Karnataka) - 3450
9. Mahabaleshwar (Maharashtra) - 3447
10. Mulshi Dam (Maharashtra) - 3370
11. Soliwade (Maharashtra) - 3340
12. Malgund (Maharashtra) - 3287
13. Nerur (Maharashtra) - 3287
14. Cherrapunji (Meghalaya) - 3233
15. Radhanagari Dam (Maharashtra) - 3183
16. Banda (Maharashtra) - 3130 
17. Karak (Maharashtra) - 3130
18. Chatav (Maharashtra) - 3125
19. Awlegaon (Maharashtra) - 3125
20. Bhira (Maharashtra) - 3122
21. Quepem (Goa) - 3075
22. Gerosoppa (Karnataka) - 3046
23. Siddapura (Karnataka) - 3036
24. Pawas (Maharashtra) - 3031
25. Palsamb (Maharashtra) - 3031
26. Rajapur (Maharashtra) - 3001
27. Ratnagiri (Maharashtra) - 3000
28. Girye (Maharashtra) - 2993 
29. Nandivase (Maharashtra) - 2993
30. Gorkhana (Karnataka) - 2960
31. Vaibhavwadi (Maharashtra) - 2953
32. Dapoli (Maharashtra) - 2952 
33. Tarandale (Maharashtra) - 2916
34. Lanja (Maharashtra) - 2915
35. Raipatan (Maharashtra) - 2915
36. Valpoi (Goa) - 2905
37. Umgaon (Maharashtra) - 2880
38. Koyna Dam (Maharashtra) - 2878
39. Tillari (Maharashtra) - 2855
40. Poynar (Maharashtra)-  2849
41. Shirshingi (Maharashtra) - 2849
42. Kankavali (Maharashtra) - 2843
43. Shirgaon (Maharashtra) - 2824
44. Ainari (Maharashtra) - 2824 
45. Shembavane (Maharashtra) - 2800
46. Sarambala (Maharashtra) - 2800 
47. Gulvane (Maharashtra) - 2795
48. Dukanwadi (Maharashtra) - 2795
49. Nardave (Maharashtra) - 2781 
50. Kurdhunda (Maharashtra) - 2781
51. Konhawali (Maharashtra) - 2780
52. Sangulwadi (Maharashtra) - 2780
53. Digawade (Maharashtra) - 2752 
54. Kumbharkhani (Maharashtra) - 2752
55. Pathardi (Maharashtra) - 2751
56. Shivdav (Maharashtra) - 2745
57. Pastewadi (Maharashtra) - 2745
58. Bhagamandala (Karnataka) - 2745
59. Mahalasa (Maharashtra) - 2741 
60. Sawantwadi (Maharashtra) - 2688
61. Tiware (Maharashtra) - 2688 
62. Nadgadwadi (Maharashtra) - 2678
63. Latwan (Maharashtra) - 2672
64. Golvan (Maharashtra) - 2671
65. Chiplun (Maharashtra) - 2664
66. Talsar (Maharashtra) - 2653
67. Pawarwadi (Maharashtra) - 2647
68. Thankarwadi (Maharashtra) - 2646
69. Lavel (Maharashtra) - 2624
70. Het (Maharashtra) - 2624 
71. Sanglat (Maharashtra) - 2621
72. Walawal (Maharashtra) - 2621
73. Chinnakallar (Tamil Nadu) - 2617
74. Dodamarg (Maharashtra) - 2616
75. Malvan (Maharashtra) - 2613
76. Mandangad (Maharashtra) - 2609
77. Vadakara (Kerala) - 2592 
78. Roha (Maharashtra) - 2588 
79. Tilariwadi (Maharashtra) - 2584 
80. Karambavne (Maharashtra) - 2583
81. Lonavala Dam (Maharashtra) - 2580
82. Kheravase (Maharashtra) - 2580
83. Hardkhala (Maharashtra) - 2565
84. Tala (Maharashtra) - 2561
85. Sudhagad (Maharashtra) - 2560
86. Angiwade (Maharashtra) - 2555
87. Mirvane (Maharashtra) - 2555
88. Sanguem (Goa) - 2545
89. Kudup (Maharashtra) - 2542
90. Phondaghat (Maharashtra) - 2542
91. Kudal (Maharashtra) - 2539
92. Karkala (Karnataka) - 2537
93. Murud (Maharashtra) - 2523 
94. Ghonsari (Maharashtra) - 2506
95. Shiravali (Maharashtra) - 2500
96. Radhanagari (Maharashtra) - 2500
97. Canacona (Goa) - 2500
98. Tulshi Lake (Maharashtra) - 2500
99. Bhatkal (Karnataka) - 2500