Hyderabad: After experiencing one of the wettest Mays in recent years with an average rainfall of 120 mm, Telangana is now facing a sharp reversal in June. As per the Telangana State Development Planning Society (TSDPS), 25 out of the state’s 33 districts have reported deficient or large deficient rainfall between June 1 and 12.While May had raised hopes for a timely and active monsoon, the data from June tells a different story. In Hyderabad, only 10.6 mm of rain has been recorded so far this month against a normal of 44.7 mm, indicating a 76% shortfall, placing it firmly in the ‘large deficient’ category. Districts like Hanumakonda, Warangal, Suryapet, and Jayashankar Bhupalpally have seen a complete dry spell with no rainfall during this period. Other severely affected areas include Bhadrachalam with an 81% deficit, Karimnagar at 72%, Mahabubabad at 64% and Khammam with a near-total shortfall of 99%.Several key districts have reported below-average rainfall. Medchal-Malkajgiri recorded 11.9 mm compared to the normal 44.2 mm, showing a 73% dip. Siddipet received 18.8 mm against a norm of 39.1 mm, while Nalgonda and Rangareddy stood at 24.6 mm and 36.0 mm respectively, also falling short of their usual averages. However, not all districts are in deficit. Eight districts have seen normal to excess rainfall. Jogulamba Gadwal, Wanaparthy, and Nagarkurnool have all received over 25% more rainfall than normal for this period. Kamareddy stands out with 71.7 mm of rainfall against a normal of 42.6 mm — a 68% surplus — placing it in the ‘large excess’ category. Overall, the state’s average rainfall for June so far is 32.1 mm, which is 20% below the norm of 40.2 mm. This deviation places Telangana’s June rainfall status in the ‘deficient’ category. Meteorologists have attributed the drop in rainfall to a temporary northward shift in moisture-bearing monsoonal winds. “This weakening is temporary, but critical,” said YV Rama Rao, meteorologist at TSDPS. “From Tuesday onwards, the winds have started turning towards Telangana. We expect good rainfall over the next four to five days, but it may not be sufficient to compensate for the deficits in severely affected regions.“
