Haryana Records Highest Monsoon Rainfall in 27 Years at 498.4mm, 39% Above Normal

Haryana has witnessed its most rainy monsoon in almost three decades, with 498.4mm rain from June 1 to September 2, a whopping 39% above the normal 357.3mm. This is the highest cumulative monsoon rainfall since 1998 when the state had 698mm.

IMD Director Surender Paul blames the heavy rains on a mix of western disturbances, active monsoon weather, and a low-pressure system over Rajasthan that impacts southern Haryana. "This year has the potential to break the 1998 record as the monsoon season goes on," Paul said.

Fatehabad district is the worst hit with 132% more rainfall, which received 508.9mm instead of the normal 219.2mm. Mahendragarh is the next with 124% more at 769.1mm, and Jhajjar had 103% more at 641mm. Kurukshetra (82% more), Hisar (77%), and Rewari (68%) are some of the other badly hit districts.

Surprisingly, Panchkula and Ambala recorded deficient rainfall at 24% and 23% below normal respectively, highlighting the uneven distribution pattern. The farm sector suffers seriously with 52,139 farmers from 1,214 villages reporting damaged crops on 3.33 lakh acres through the government e-Kshatipurti portal. Bhiwani tops the list with 11,861 farmers affected on 75,000 acres followed by Hisar with 10,408 farmers affected on 66,000 acres.

The government has also prolonged the damage registration portal up to September 10 and barred field officers from leave up to September 5. IMD predicts sustained difficulties with an orange alert on September 3, although a relief is predicted in northern and central parts by September 4.