Rajasthan has set a new record for monsoon rainfall this year, surpassing the previous record of 664mm from June 1 to September 15, 1975. As of Saturday, the state has received an average rainfall of 668.5mm.
Radhey Shyam Sharma, Director of the Jaipur Met Office, explained, “Rajasthan this year has received the highest rainfall in the past 49 years, with average rainfall in the state being 668.5mm since June 1 to Saturday (Sept 14), which is higher than the 665.4mm received from June 1 to Sept 15, 1975.” Sharma noted that from 1975 to 2023, the average rainfall in the state was around 450mm. He also highlighted that the all-time record was set in 1917, with an average rainfall of 811mm.
Sharma pointed out that this year’s average rainfall is 61% higher than that during the same period in 2023, which had 414.5mm of rainfall for the whole monsoon season.
Several districts have experienced extraordinary rainfall this year. Bundi, Baran, Dausa, Dholpur, Karauli, Sawai Madhopur, Pratapgarh, and Tonk have received over 1,000mm of rainfall. Specific figures include Dausa with 1,386.6mm, Sawai Madhopur with 1,278.4mm, and Karauli with 1,228.5mm.
Jaipur has also seen a significant increase in rainfall, recording 981.5mm compared to 500mm for the entire monsoon season in 2023. Most of the state’s dams are nearly full, prompting the opening of gates at Bisalpur, Mahi Bajaj Sagar, Jawahar Sagar, and Morel dams to release excess water.
The Met Office anticipates that with a minor spell of monsoon still remaining, the state could reach an average rainfall of 700mm for the season.