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Delhi records wettest March on record with 589 percent above normal rainfall, India

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India's capital Delhi recorded 109.6 mm (4.3 inches) of rain in March 2020, making it its the wettest March on record, according to the country's meteorological department (IMD). The capital received 589 percent more rainfall than its long-term average for the month, which is only 15.9 mm (0.6 inches).

March 2020's record exceeded the previous one set in 2015 when Delhi registered 97.4 mm (3.8 inches) of rain.

Aside from the record wettest March, Delhi also recorded its fourth wettest March day on record as the Safradjung station registered 37 mm (1.5 inches) on March 15. The highest daily rainfall was set way back in 1915 with 62.2 mm (2.4 inches).

Each district witnessed 'large excess' (LE) rainfall, as compared to their respective long-term averages for the month of March.

Northeast Delhi recorded 131.4 mm (5.2 inches), 852% LE; North Delhi 105.5 mm (4.2 inches), 1 406% LE; New Delhi 81.2 mm (3.2 inches), 386% LE; South Delhi 71.9 mm (2.8 inches), 421% LE; East Delhi 59.2 mm (2.3 inches) 329%; and Southwest Delhi 54.5 mm (2.1 inches), 198%.

YouTube video

YouTube video

The records are a result of at least seven western disturbances (WD) that struck the northern and northwestern states of India last month. These WDs are storms driven by westerly winds from the Mediterranean sea, picking up moisture along its path.

WDs consistently caused unseasonal rains, snowfall, and thunderstorms over the region, resulting in unusually wet conditions for this season.

The month of April is expected to follow the same path as the IMD forecasts new WD that will hit the north and northwest parts of India beginning Sunday, April 5.

Featured image credit: M Waheed Jadoon/Flickr

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