Dehradun beats 88 year old 24hrs rainfall for June with 220 mm rainfall and betters again with 370 mm rainfall

It was three days continuous rain in Uttrakhand which created the historic floods and not cloudburst as termed by media. Hope they come to their senses while posting these terms.

Uttrakhand June 2013 - 3 day Rainfall amount in CM

Source: http://trmm.gsfc.nasa.gov/

The 88 year old Dehradun record of 24hr rainfall in the month of June was broken with 219.9 mm on 16th June 2013. It was record which was to be short lived. The next day (17th June 2013) Dehradun clocked 370.2 mm of heavy rainfall. The previous record was on 22nd June 1925 that Dehradun where it had received 188 mm of rainfall on a single day in the month of June.

Some of the relevant rainfall records of Dehradun with respect to June 2013 historic rains

24 hrs Rainfall (All months)

-----------------------

25th July 1966 - 487 mm (All time high for Dehradun for any month)

17th June 2013 - 370.2 mm  (Second highest for any month was broken)

31st July 2010 - 364 mm

22nd August 1951 - 332.2 mm

24hrs Rainfall (June)

--------------------

17th June 2013 - 370.2 mm (The next day the record was again broken)

16th June 2013 -  219.9 mm (Broke 88 year old record)

22nd June 1925 - 188 mm

Monthly Rainfall (June)
------------------------- 
1966  June - 963.5 mm
2013 June  - 1094.8 mm (All time highest June monthly Rainfall)

India's Wettest Places - Walakkad, Kerala - Series No.1

Whenever people in India ask for wettest / Rainiest places they only know Cherrapunji or Mawsynaram or Agumbe. In these series, you will come to various places which i have identified to be wettest places of India. This series will be published often. If you are fan of Heavy Rains and want to know more than Cherrapunji. Please Read it. Its only a compilation of data from various sources / articles / research materials.

Dhar et al (1978) carried out a study ot the heavy rainfall stations in India. For the purpose of the study, stations with mean annual raintall of 5000 mm were considered as heavy rainfall stations. Of the total 14 stations across India, Only two were from KeraIa namely Neeriamangalam (5880 mm) and Peermade (5000 mm). The rainfall data was available only for less number of years. Over the years the averages have caught up with these two stations and their averages have fallen less than 5000 mm considerably. But rain gauges were installed at many other locations which were experiencing very heavy rains during the monsoons.With the data obtained and analysed, these stations were experiencing more rainfall than Agumbe (7640 mm) called as Cherrapunji of South India. One such place is Silent Valley where Walakkad gets the maximum rainfall.

Silent Valley with 236.74 square kilometres is located in the Nilgiri Hills, Palakkad District in Kerala, South India. The park is one of the last undisturbed tracts of South Western Ghats mountain rain forests and tropical moist evergreen forest in India. It is part of The Western Ghats World Heritage Site. 

The Silent Valley is a small plateau located on the southwestern corner of the Nilgiri Hills, a part of the Western Ghats hill chain in southern peninsular India. This forested plateau is the point of origin of the Kunthi river which joins the west-flowing Bharathapuzha. The Silent Valley also forms the core area of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve. Silent Valley symbolizes hope for all the people who stand up for nature, and remains a beacon for rainforests everywhere. Thus it is no longer merely the name of a place but part of a universal vocabulary as a word that indicates an untrammeled wilderness that would last beyond human greed and willful destruction, and protected through the efforts of the people sustained by hope.

The conservation of entire Silent Valley forest area is vital to ensure the perennial flow of water through the Bharathapuzha, the Bhavani and the Cauvery providing water to Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka. The Kunthipuzha, which originates from the Silent Valley National Park area, is the main source of water for Bharathapuzha, Kerala’s longest river. It provides drinking and irrigation water to the districts of Palakkad, Malappuram and Thrissur. A tributary of the Bhavani that originates on the eastern side of the Silent Valley forest area is the perennial source of water for this major inter-State river. Its protection is vital for drinking water and irrigation water projects in a couple of districts of Tamil Nadu. It later empties into the Cauvery. Thus the protection of the Silent Valley and its adjacent forests that form the core area of the Nilgiri Biosphere is vital for the peaceful sharing of the water sources of three major rivers by the three neighboring States. This major benefit to the people of three States is the best justification for the struggle for the protection of the Silent Valley.

The Park comprises essentially two parallel south-sloping valleys. The western Kunthi valley is part of the basin of the west-draining Bharathapuzha. The eastern, Bhavani Valley is part of the basin of the east-flowing Cauvery. In the estimation of scientists, the Silent Valley evergreen rainforest is more than 50 million years old. It is perhaps the only remaining undisturbed tropical rainforest in peninsular India. The flora and fauna here are quite unique. The Silent Valley’s dark and cool ambience, vibrating with life, has been described as “the richest expression of life on earth” and a “cradle of evolution.” “Silent Valley is not just an evergreen forest, it is a very fine example of one of the richest, most threatened and least studied habitats on earth.” Thus, it is the “sacred grove” for the world, and a gene pool of rare flora and fauna. This precious chunk of dense forest is perhaps India’s last, largest and oldest tropical rainforest remaining undisturbed, undisturbed because of its relative inaccessibility, oldest because its age is estimated to be 50 million years.

One of the Wettest Rainfall belts in India

The Silent Valley experiences majority rainfall in south-west mosnoon and the comparatively less north-east monsoon. Months were classified into four seasons. December, January and February months are identified as winter season having least rainfall (9.12 mm) and March, April, May with relatively low rainfall (2.59 mm) as driest and warmest months constitute the summer. June, July, August months are extremely different from all other months having highest rainfall (4407 mm). They form the monsoon season. September, October, November months were marked with moderate rainfall (1654 mm).

In Silent Valley, rainfall data is available for Walakkad, Pochipara, Silent Valley, Neelikkal and Sairandhri for last 20 years. The average rainfall of all 5 stations comes to 6400 mm. With Walakkad having highest average rainfall of 8320 mm and followed by Pochipara with 7000 mm.The Silent Valley National Park, gets one of the highest or even the highest average annual rainfall in the Western Ghats, data for the past 20 years are shown below. Walakkad rainfall data is available for 12 years of which it has crossed 9000 mm mark 5 years. It has also crossed the magical 10000 mm mark in 1997. Pochippara is also considerably wet. It receives an average rainfall of 7000 mm.

The Silent Valley gets continuous rain for six to seven months a year. In the remaining months, mist shrouds the valley, which is estimated to yield 15 per cent of the water generated in the rainforest, with both the North-east and South-west monsoons blessing the valley.

Available Rainfall data in the Silent Valley in past 20 years in mm

Source: Compilation from The Hindu, KFRI, Wikipedia and Rainfall data from own research.

Talacauvery becomes the first station to cross 2000 mm rainfall in 26 days for the 2013 monsoon.

In 1974, fourteen rainfall stations whose mean annual rainfall is 5000 mm or more were identified.  These fourteen stations have been called the rainiest stations of India. Of these 14 stations is Bhagamandala which has an average rainfall of 6030 mm. But above which, a more wetter place lies like Cherrapunji has Mawsynaram or Agumbe has Hulikal. This place is located 8 kms from Bhagamandala. Its called as Talacauvery. The average rainfall is expected to be higher than that of Bhagamandala's 6030 mm. When ever it rains from the stats Talacauvery gets atleast 10-15% more rain than Bhagamandala. Hence,its average rainfall will expected near 7000 mm.

Talacauvery - Photo - Tumkurameen Blog

Talacauvery (meaning head of Cauvery) is the place that is generally considered to be the source of the river Cauvery. near Bhagamandala in Kodagu district, Karnataka. However, there is not a permanent visible flow from this place to the main rivercourse except during the rainy season.  A tank or kundike has been erected on a hillside, at the place that is said to be the origin. It is also marked by a small temple, and the area is frequented by pilgrims. The river originates as a spring feeding this tank, which is considered to be a holy place to bathe on special days. The waters are then said to flow underground to emerge as the Cauvery river some distance away.  Talakaveri is about 8 km away from Bhagamandala and 48 km from Madikeri.

Rainfall in Monsoon 2013

In monsoon 2013, in just 26 days it became the first station to cross 2000 mm rainfall with an rainfall of 200 mm on 26th June 2013. Its SWM rainfall stands at 2059 mm. Way ahead than other peers which gets over 6000 mm on the same date in the state of Karnataka ie Kollur - 1631 mm, Agumbe - 1562 mm, Bhagamandala - 1560 mm and Nilkund - 1531 mm

Fastest to 2000 mm in last 5 years

2013 - Talacauvery & Hulikal - 26 days
2012 - Cherrapunji  - 25 days
2011 - Amgaon - 25 days
2010 - Cherrapunji - 21 days
2009 - Cherrapunji - 32 days

All India SWM rainfall Toppers from 01.06.2013 to 20.06.2013

Rainfall in mm (Minimum of 1000 mm)

1. Chatav (Maharashtra) - 1475
2. Talacavery (Karnataka) - 1470
3. Dapoli (Maharashtra) - 1467
4. Hulikal (Karnataka) - 1419
5. Tulshi (Maharashtra) - 1372
6. Vadakara (Kerala) -1362
7. Mahabaleshwar (Maharashtra) - 1348
8. Khed (Maharashtra) - 1344 
9. Mastikatte (Karanataka) - 1341 
10. Kannur (Kerala) - 1339 
11. Naladi (Karnataka) - 1321
12. Kollur (Karnataka) - 1282
13. Lonavala (Maharashtra) - 1243
14. Tamini (Maharashtra) - 1220
15. Dungerwadi (Maharashtra) - 1205
16. Gaganbawada (Maharashtra) - 1204
17. Irikkur (Kerala) - 1198
18. Guhagar (Maharashtra) - 1165
19. Piravom  (Kerala) - 1130
20. Mangalore (Karnataka) - 1119
21. Suralbhi (Karnataka) - 1118
22. Ulloor II (Karnataka) - 1110
23. Kogar (Karnataka) - 1100
24. Pophali (Maharashtra) - 1100
25. Navaja (Maharashtra) - 1100
26. Hosdurg (Kerala) - 1096
27. Chiplun (Maharashtra) - 1096
28. Uran (Maharashtra) - 1092
29. Tala (Maharashtra) - 1091
30. Bhagamandala (Karnataka) - 1080
31. Matheran (Maharashtra) - 1073
32. Talimparamba (Kerala) - 1071
33. Amboli (Maharashtra) - 1066
34. Gavali (Karnataka) - 1064
35. Dajipur (Maharashtra) - 1060
36. Shirgaon (Maharashtra) - 1060
37. Dawdi (Maharashtra) - 1060
38. Pookot (Kerala) - 1051 
39. Bhira (Maharashtra) - 1058
40. Mulshi (Maharashtra) - 1051
41. Yadur (Karnataka) - 1043
42. Maripalla (Karnataka) - 1040
43. Pen (Maharashtra) - 1038
44. Vythiri (Kerala) - 1032
45. Kudlu (Kerala) - 1030
46. Walwand (Maharashtra) - 1029
47. Koyna (Maharashtra) - 1025
48. Amgaon  (Karnataka) - 1018
49. Harnai (Maharashtra) - 1017
50. Mangalore AP (Karnataka) - 1014
51. Nilkund (Karnataka) - 1009
52. Kuppepadavu (Karnataka) - 1008
53. Poladpur (Maharashtra) - 1007
54. Sholayar (Tamil Nadu) - 1006
55. Bhaktal (Karnataka) - 1004
56. Thamarassery (Kerala) - 1000
57. Agumbe (Karnataka) - 1000
58. Yelagith (Karnataka) - 1000
59. Surathkal (Karnataka) - 1000

Maharashtra Top 5 Rainfall till 20th June

1. Dapoli - 1467 
2. Tulshi - 1372
3. Mahabaleshwar - 1348 
4. Khed  - 1344
5. Lonavala - 1243

Karnataka Top 5 Rainfall till 20th June

1. Talacavery - 1470
2. Hulikal - 1419 
3. Mastikatte - 1341
4. Naladi - 1321
5. Kollur - 1282

Kerala Top 5 Rainfall till 20th June

1. Vadakara - 1362
2. Kannur - 1339
3. Irikkur - 1198
4. Piravom  - 1130
5. Hosdurg - 1096

Tamil Nadu Top 5 Rainfall till 20th June

1. Sholayar - 1006
2. Devala - 830
3. Avalanche - 801 
4. Valparai - 786
5. Upper Bhavani - 726

Goa Top 5 Rainfall till 20th June

1. Pernem - 832
2. Valpoi  - 737
3. Dabolim - 678
4. Sanguem - 669
5. Margao - 663

 Andaman & Nicobar Top 5 Rainfall till 20th June

1. Mayabunder - 913
2. Car Nicobar - 681
3. Nancowry - 578
4. Port Blair - 514

Gujarat Top 5 Rainfall till 20th June

1. Pardi - 690
2. Vanthali - 689
3. Manavadar - 600
4. Choryasi - 571
5. Surat - 568

  West Bengal Top 5 Rainfall till 20th June

1. Buxaduar - 690
2. Gajoldoba - 530
3. Kalimpong -543
4. Jayanthi - 430
5. Nagarkata - 410

This data is only for Vagaries and Tamil Nadu Weatherman blogs. I kindly request you to put source of this blog, in case you are trying to copy and paste the above in any other blog or website.

It's 'burning hot' in wettest place on Planet Earth - Cherrapunji

It has been raining cats and dogs in India's northern states, but Cherrapunjee (renamed Sohra) - known as one of the wettest places on the earth - nestled in the abode of clouds in Meghalaya in is "burning hot" at over 28 degrees Celsius! Residents of the hilltop in northeastern India say their heavenly abode is hotter and drier than ever before - due to global warming.

"Sohra has been burning hot for months. In the past, we used umbrellas only to shield ourselves from the rains, but these days you will find everyone in this town carrying an umbrella to protect them from the scorching sun," Merilang Syiem, a resident, told IANS. Not only umbrellas, Syiem said, people in some houses have also started using fans to beat the heat. 

Cherrapunjee is on the edge of a plateau on the southern slopes in the East Khasi Hills district. Located 1,290 metres above sea level and 56 km from state capital Shillong, it is known to receive the highest rainfall in the world.This town records an average rainfall of 12,000 mm a year, with the maximum occurring over the southern slopes of the Khasi Hills. The highest recorded total annual rainfall was 24,555 mm in 1974."But that will never happen again, though we still get much rain during the monsoon. But, earlier, we got rains here even during the winter and that is not happening any more," said Lastborn Kharkongor. Heavy rains have created rare bio-diverse vegetation here and made the town a high point of tourism in the state.

An India Metrological Department official said the mercury has been on the rise and was at 28.3 degree Celsius on June 12. "It is true that the temperature at Cherrapunjee was above normal (average) for the last few days. This may be attributed to the weak monsoon activity that prevailed over our region for the last few days," said Sunit Das, a meteorologist in the Regional Meteorological Centre, Guwahati.

The average temperature in Cherrapunjee in June is 23 degrees Celsius. "When we talk about the rainfall, from June 1 till today (June 18), Cherrapunjee received 618.8 mm of rainfall against its normal (average) 1,509.2 mm. Actually, during the advancement phase of southwest monsoon, sometimes the rainfall activity becomes subdued over our region." Das was, however, hopeful of the monsoon picking up by Thursday.

Source: Business Standard 

Photo: Rediff

All India SWM rainfall Toppers from 01.06.2013 to 10.06.2013

The much awaited SWM toppers list is back. 

Rainfall in mm (Minimum of 400 mm)

1. Kannur (Kerala) - 606
2. Vadakara (Kerala) - 590
3. Cherrapunji (Meghalaya) -554
4. Dapoli (Maharashtra) - 529
5. Tulshi Lake (Maharashtra) - 528
6. Gaganbawada (Maharashtra) - 525
7. Kalimpong (West Bengal) - 513
8. Guhagar (Maharashtra) - 488
9. Mangalore (Karnataka) - 480
10. Irukkur (Kerala) - 475
11. Surathkal (Karnataka) - 465
12. Baindur (Karnataka) - 461
13. Buxaduar (West Bengal) - 460
14. Kudulu (Kerala) - 460
15. Thamarasery (Kerala) - 450
16. Thane Belapur (Maharashtra) - 439
17. Mulki (Karnataka) - 435
18. Hosdurg (Kerala) - 430
19. Pilicode (Kerala) - 430
20. Kundapur (Karnataka) - 428
21. Ratnagiri (Maharashtra) - 426
22. Gazoldoba (West Bengal) - 410
23. Sawantawadi (Maharashtra) - 403
24. Alappuzha (Kerala) - 400
25. Kumta (Karnataka) -  400

Monsoon Rainfall on 07.06.2013

Rainfall in Karnataka

in mm ending 8.30 am on 07.06.2013

min 40 mm

Baindur        -        161
Kapu        -        127
Yelagith    -        120
Mulki        -        114
Dodda Belavangala - 94
Salagame - 94
Surathkal    -        93
Karkala        -        92
Rantur - 92
Mirjan - 91
Kota        -        90
Kumta        -        89
Ulloor II    -        89
Mrugavadhe    -        88
Mangalore    -        88
Salagame    -        87
Kundapur    -        85
Puttige        -        84
Shirali - 83
Ajekar        -        83
Sasvehalli    -        78
Garag - 77
Vendse        -        75
Sasavehalli - 75
Hirehadagali    -        69
Bellary        -        69
Bhatkal        -        67
Manki        -        66
Basgod        -        65
Gandsi        -        65
Kerveshe    -        63
Talacauvery    -        63
Hagiri - 59
Devarahalli    -        58
Kuppepadavu    -        58
Ankola        -        57
Balale        -        57
Kadra        -        57
Devlapur - 56
Aversa        -        55
Bellary - 54
Maripalla    -        54
Mangalore AP - 53
Bagur        -        52
Sitanadi    -        51
Bellatti    -        48
Rayalpad    -        48
Bantwal        -        47
Kedinje        -        47
Kalasapur - 47
Walmi        -        44
Iavatur        -        43
Hosagavi - 43
Amasebail    -        42
Hosanagar    -        41
Dabbaedka    -        41
Malur        -        41
Kalasapura    -        40
Kollur        -        40
Albadi        -        40
Agumbe - 40


Rainfall in Kerala

in mm ending 8.30 am on 07.06.2013

min 10 mm

Hosdurg        -    93
Vadakara    -    91
Piravom        -    83
Pilicode - 82
Ponnani        -    77
Kochi AP    -    76
Kannur        -    71
Kozha        -    68
Alappuzha    -    68
Irikkur        -    68
Mattanur - 68
Ernakulam South    -    64
Kudulu        -    59
Thrissur    -    56
Kottayam    -    56
Irinjalakuda    -    55
Thodupuzha    -    53
Thalasserry    -    52
Taliparamba    -    51
Perumbavur    -    51
CIAL Kochi    -    51
Vaikom        -    51
Chalakudy    -    50
Quilandy    -    48
Kozhikode    -    46
Cheruthazham - 46
Keerampara - 46
Enamackel    -    45
Chengannur    -    45
Kumarakom    -    44
Mancompu    -    44
Kunnamkulam    -    44
Aluva        -    43
Cherthala    -    41
Haripad        -    40
Punalur        -    40
Panniyur - 40
Kodungallur    -    39
Mavelikkara    -    38
Peermade    -    38
Kakkanadu - 32
Varkala        -    29
Kayamkulam    -    28
Vellanikkara    -    27
Tavanur - 26
Vadakkancherry    -    25
Mananthavady    -    23
Munnar        -    19
Kanjirappally    -    18
Pattambi    -    16
Idukki        -    15
Alathur        -    14
Vythiri        -    14
Pookot - 14
Nedumangad    -    13
Kottarakkara - 13
Aryankavu    -    12
Meenangudi - 12
Ottappalam    -    11
Thrithala    -    10
Konni        -    10
Palakkad    -    10
Manjeri        -    10

Rainfall in Maharashtra
in mm ending 8.30 am on 07.06.2013

min 30 mm

Darva        -        82
Sonpeth        -        69
Veer - 62
Baglan        -        60
Nasik        -        60
Manora        -        58
Malegaon    -        58
Bavda        -        58
Washim        -        58
Lonar        -        56
Pavni        -        55
Rahata        -        55
Patur        -        54
Wardha        -        53
Tulsi - 50
Sinnar        -        49
Malegaon    -        49
Narkhed        -        46
Kankawali    -        42
Trimbakeshwar    -        42
Bhamragad    -        42
Amravati    -        40
Malwan        -        39
Dindori        -        39
Sindhewahi    -        38
Bhiwapur    -        38
Pune city    -        37
Haveli Pune    -        37
Vaibhavwadi    -        36
Kamthi Khairi - 35
Phaltan        -        35
Purandar Saswad    -        35
Murtijapur    -        35
Chankapur - 35
Palkhed - 35
Gunjwani - 34
Egatpuri    -        34
Velhe        -        34
Khandala    -        34
Lower Wardha - 34
Khadakwasla - 33
Daund        -        32
Karanja        -        32
Khed        -        31
Balapur        -        31
Mangrulpir    -        31
Nandgaon khandeshwar        -        31
Javli Medha    -        31
Morshi        -        30
Audha        -        30
Chimur        -        30
Tiroda        -        30
Nandgaon    -        30
Seloo        -        30
Lower Terna - 30
Gangapur - 35

Wind speeds recorded in India during the Nor'wester 2013 Season.

 During the hot weather period i.e from March to May the eastern and North-eastern states of the subcontinent like West Bengal, Bihar, Assam, Orissa (parts) and Bangladesh experience dramatic appearance of a special type of violent thunderstorm know as Nor’wester. In Bengal it is known as ‘Kal Baisakhi’ or calamity of the month of Baisakh (April,15-May,15). Apart from its destructive effects like sudden rise in wind speed, lightning, thunder and hail the rainfall associated with the storm.

 For the occurrence of a nor’wester, the lower level moisture flow from the Bay of Bengal is essential. In the summer months the atmosphere becomes unstable due to intense insolation. On such days if there is a suitable synoptic situation such as a surface low pressure area over Jharkhand and adjoining districts of Gangetic West Bengal, the cyclonic vorticity reaching up to 1.5 kilometers above sea level with dry air aloft and presence of a jet stream between the levels 300 mb and 200 mb in the vicinity of Gangetic West Bengal are extremely helpful for the occurrence of nor’westers..

 Alipore is the king of Nor'wester in India in 2013

Min (50 km/hr) (From 1st April to 31st May, 2013)

1. Alipore, West Bengal - 116 km/hr on 17th April, 2013
2. Diamond Harbour, West Bengal - 116 km/hr on 17th April, 2013
3. Gaya, Bihar - 96 km/hr on 17th April, 2013
4. Tezpur, Assam - 93 km/hr on 3rd April, 2013
5. Guwahati, Assam - 80 km/hr on 14th April, 2013
6. Alipore, West Bengal - 76 km/hr on 12th May, 2013
7. Agartala, Tripura - 74 km/hr on 19th April, 2013
8. Bhubaneswar, Orissa - 72 km/hr on 26th May, 2013
9. Alipore, West Bengal - 72 km/hr on 19th May, 2013
10. Dum Dum, West Bengal - 68 km/hr on 17th April, 2013
11. Bankura, West Bengal - 65 km/hr on 19th May, 2013
12. Puri, Orissa - 64 km/hr on 21st April, 2013
13. Alipore, West Bengal - 63 km/hr on 11th April, 2013
14. Daltonganj, Jharkhand - 62 km/hr on 13th April, 2013
15. Dum Dum, West Bengal - 60 km/hr on 20th May, 2013
16. Alipore, West Bengal - 60 km/hr on 4th April, 2013
17. Alipore, West Bengal - 60 km/hr on 17th May, 2013
18. Patna, Bihar - 58 km/hr on 14th April, 2013
19. Paradeep, Orissa - 56 km/hr on 26th May, 2013 
20. Dum Dum, West Bengal - 56 km/hr on 17th May, 2013
21. Chandbali, Orissa - 56 km/hr on 7th May, 2013
22. Daltonganj, Jharkhand - 56 km/hr on 14th April, 2013
23. Daltonganj, Jharkhand - 56 km/hr on 2nd April, 2013
24. Alipore, West Bengal - 56 km/hr on 21st April, 2013
25. Alipore, West Bengal - 56 km/hr on 15th April, 2013
26. Chandbali, Orissa - 56 km/hr on 15th April, 2013
27. Digha, West Bengal - 55 km/hr on 19th April, 2013
28. Dum Dum, West Bengal - 52 km/hr on 19th May, 2013
29. Malda, West Bengal - 50 km/hr on 17th May, 2013