July rainfall this year may be better than 2002, 2004

Vinson Kurian Thiruvananthapuram, July 22 Crucial July rainfall till now may have proved deficient in the southern peninsula, but statistics suggest that the situation may not be as bad as during comparable periods either in 2002, which recorded a historical low, or 2004. July 2002 saw the rains plumb to 49 per cent deficit, the lowest in over 100 years, while the next worst July in recent memory was 2004 when the deficit was around 23 per cent. The June 1-July 28 rainfall scenario for 2004 is also instructive – a deficit of 14.94 per cent. This compares with a surplus of four per cent recorded until July 16 this year till when figures have been updated, though this is expected to come down further when updates are due next. The 2004 season too had with a flourish, notching up a surplus of 21.16 per cent during the June 1-23.... [read full story]