Hyderabad: Telangana is staring at an unprecedented Oct dry spell, with the state recording a massive 95% rainfall deficit so far this month. Against a normal 75.6 mm of rainfall between Oct 1 and 21, Telangana received just 3.5 mm, raising fresh concerns over crop prospects, soil moisture and water availability amid the looming impact of El Niño.According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the rainfall shortage has been widespread, with 12 districts recording no rainfall at all during the first 21 days of Oct and the remaining 21 districts reporting large deficits.The scale of the shortfall is striking given that Oct is typically one of Telangana’s wetter months. Hyderabad alone normally receives around 114 mm of rainfall during Oct, based on IMD’s 1991-2020 climatological averages. This year, however, the city recorded just 2.8 mm between Oct 1 and 21, translating into a 97% deficit.The districts of Hanumakonda, Jayashankar Bhupalpally, Jagtial, Karimnagar, Medchal-Malkajgiri, Mancherial, Medak, Nizamabad, Peddapalli, Rajanna Sircilla, Sangareddy and Siddipet received no rainfall during the period.Even districts that recorded some precipitation witnessed severe deficits. Adilabad received 1.5 mm against a normal 69.3 mm, a shortfall of 98%, while Nalgonda recorded 1.3 mm against 82.9 mm, also a deficit of 98%. Jangaon received 1.9 mm against a normal 74.6 mm and Rangareddy 4.5 mm against 83.7 mm.Wanaparthy recorded the highest rainfall among districts at 17.7 mm, though this was still 78% below its normal of 82.1 mm. Khammam received 13.8 mm against a normal 94.6 mm, while Yadadri-Bhuvanagiri recorded 13 mm against 84.6 mm, both registering deficits of 85%. Nagarkurnool received 10.6 mm compared with its normal of 80 mm.The sharp rainfall deficit comes at a time when the state is assessing the possible impact of El Niño on rainfall patterns and agriculture. Officials fear that prolonged dry conditions could affect soil moisture levels, crop planning and water availability in several regions.Oct marks a crucial transition period between the southwest and northeast monsoons, with rainfall largely dependent on post-monsoon weather systems. Hyderabad’s long-term Oct rainfall normal stands at 113.9 mm, though the month has historically witnessed wide variations. The city received a record 400.7 mm in Oct 2020, compared with just 37.1 mm in October 2016.With a few days left in the month and just 3.5 mm of rainfall recorded so far, Telangana would require substantial rainfall in the remaining days of Oct to significantly reduce the deficit.
