Pre Monsoon 2024 season: District wise rainfall in India

In the just concluded three month pre monsoon season (March 1 to May 31, 2024) India received 125.9 mm (146.6 mm in Pre Monsoon 2023 [i]) rainfall, 4% below (12% above in per monsoon 2023) the normal rainfall of 130.6 mm as per the India Meteorological Department (IMD). In 2020[ii] , 2021[iii] and 2022[iv] India received 158.5 mm, 155.2 mm and 130.6 or 20% above normal, 18% above normal and 1% below rainfall respectively. So this year, India has received the lowest pre monsoon season rainfall compared to that those in previous four years.

Month wise distribution However, when we look at the month-wise distribution of rainfall we find that in March 2024 there was 28.5 mm (37.6, 8.9 and 16.7 mm in March 2023, March 2022 and March 2021 respectively) or 5% below normal rainfall when normal rainfall was supposed to be 29.9 mm. In April 2024, the rainfall was 31.4 mm (41.4, 38.3 and 31 mm in April 2023, 2022 and 2021 respectively), 20.1% below normal rainfall of 39.3 mm. The lion’s share of rainfall of the season was in May 2024, at 66 mm (68.6, 83.4 and 107.5 mm respectively in May 2023, 2022 and 2021), or 7.5 % above the normal rain of 61.4 mm. So May 2024 rainfall was above normal rainfall, but was below that in the same month in 2021, 2022 and 2023.

	Actual Rainfall, mm	Normal rainfall, mm	% departure
March 2024	28.5	29.9	-5
April 2024	31.4	39.3	-20.1
May 2024	66	61.4	7.5
Pre Monsoon 2024	125.9	130.6	-4

ALL INDIA State wise rainfall distribution During pre-monsoon season 2024, five States (and Union Territories) (Ladakh, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Maharashtra and Chhattisgarh) had Large Excess (over 60% in excess of normal rainfall), four States and UTs (Goa, Telangana, Kerala, Lakshadweep) had Excess (20-59% above normal rainfall), thirteen states had Normal (between 19% excess and 19% deficit compared to normal), twelve states had Deficit (20 to 59% below normal rainfall), two states (Delhi, Dandra-N Haveli-Daman-Diu) had Large Deficit (over 60% below normal) precipitation.

Meghalaya, like in 2023, had the highest quantum of rainfall in this season at 669.9 mm, 6% below normal rainfall. However, highest surplus % of rainfall was again recorded by Gujarat at 204% above rainfall of 12.5 mm compared to normal rainfall of 4.1 mm. (Map for this period not available on IMD website.)

ALL INDIA Sub Division wise Rainfall distribution As can be seen from the IMD map below, out of 36 meteorological sub divisions of IMD, Seven had large Excess, Five had Excess, fourteen had Normal, Nine had deficit rainfall and only W Rajasthan had large deficit rainfall in pre monsoon 2024 season.

Saurashtra again recorded the highest surplus % rainfall at 352% with rainfall of 14 mm compared to normal rainfall of 3.1 mm. W Rajasthan recorded the highest deficit at 60% with 9.9 mm rainfall compared to normal rainfall of 24.7 mm. With 571.1 mm rainfall, Arunachal Pradesh again recorded the highest rainfall, which was 25% below normal.

District Wise Rainfall Map for All Districts of India

ALL INDIA River Basin wise Rainfall Distribution Not available on IMD website for the relevant period.

STATE WISE DISTRICT WISE RAINFALL: Maps for state wise, district wise rainfall are not available on IMD website. Information given below are from other IMD tables.

ISLANDS: Andaman and Nicobar Islands