Jhansi: Bundelkhand, traditionally among the most water-stressed regions of Uttar Pradesh, has received abundant rainfall this monsoon despite concerns over the impact of a strong El Nino effect, with six of its seven districts recording excess precipitation since June 1. Jhansi is the only district in the region to have registered a rainfall deficit.According to cumulative rainfall figures released by the Regional Meteorological Centre, Lucknow, from June 1 to September 15, several districts have received substantially more rain than their long-term averages.Banda, a district which had recorded the highest temperature in the country, has recorded 1,115.2 mm of rainfall against its normal of 719.6 mm, marking a 55% surplus. Chitrakoot, which witnessed severe flash floods during the monsoon, received 1,223.8 mm against an average of 731.9 mm, a 67% excess.Mahoba registered the highest percentage increase in rainfall in the region, receiving 966.2 mm against its normal of 564.7 mm, 71% above average. Hamirpur recorded 1,025 mm against 662.2 mm, translating into a 55% surplus. Jalaun received 683.7 mm of rain against its average of 602.9 mm, recording a 13% excess, while Lalitpur registered 940.4 mm against 757.3 mm, 24% above normal. In contrast, Jhansi received 572.3 mm against its normal rainfall of 682.8 mm, leaving the district with a 16% deficit.The rainfall pattern has come as a relief for the drought-prone region, particularly amid earlier concerns over the possible impact of El Nino, a climate phenomenon associated with abnormal warming of sea-surface temperatures in the central and eastern equatorial Pacific. The India Meteorological Department had earlier forecast a below-normal monsoon, raising fears of a rainfall deficit and drought-like conditions in parts of the country.With the southwest monsoon expected to withdraw by the end of September, weather experts see limited scope for a major improvement in the rainfall deficit in Jhansi. However, the overall surplus rainfall across Bundelkhand has helped replenish groundwater and improve water availability, besides boosting storage levels in reservoirs across the region.
