Bihar records 50% more than normal rainfall

PATNA: Heavy rain in Bihar and adjoining regions this monsoon might have led to floods in several districts of north Bihar, but also brightened the prospects of a good recharge of depleted groundwater reservoirs and bumper crop yield in south Bihar districts.
Experts pointed out that the excess than normal rainfall in different parts of the state will not only raise the shallow groundwater levels, but will also improve the quality of groundwater in different parts of the state.Besides, it will prove a boon for the Kharif crops, especially the paddy. Indian Meteorological Society state president and Central University of South Bihar (CUSB) environmental science professor Pradhan Parth Sarthi said from the beginning of June till date, the state has received 50% more rainfall of its normal value (of around 400mm). Such widespread and timely rainfall has occurred in the state almost after one decade.
The monsoon trough, a low pressure line stretching from Sri Ganga Nagar in Rajashtan to the Bay of Bengal is very active this year. We may expect more rainfall in north Bihar in coming days due to the movement of this trough line towards the terai regions of Nepal and north Bihar, further worsening the flood conditions.
According to the monsoon forecast by IMD and other organizations, the rainfall may be above normal in Bihar and other adjoining regions up to August 13. The low concentration of atmospheric pollutants during the Covid-19 may be a strong reason of good amount of rainfall because the negative relation between aerosol and rainfall is already an established scientific fact, said Parth Sarthi.
This year, the state has received a very timely rainfall which is very crucial for cultivation of kharif crops. The rice bowl of Bihar — Kaimur and Rohtas — has received good amount of rainfall at the time of sowing of kharif crops and, hence, a bumper production may be expected if it is not subjected to unprecedented floods, he added.
Central Groundwater Board regional director A K Agrawal pointed out that last year groundwater levels had dipped considerably, creating a drought-like situation in more than a dozen districts of the state due to erratic monsoon. But, this year, the monsoon rain has started early and it is almost continuous.
This would certainly lead to replenishment of surface water bodies as well as groundwater reservoirs even in those areas which had been facing water deficit for the last several years. Even a region like Darbhanga was facing drought-like situation last year as all its wells had gone dry due to incessant pumping for irrigation.
Agrawal hoped the situation would improve considerably this year. Even the surface water bodies, like ponds and ahar-pynes, have been renovated in different parts. There has been a large-scale revival of ponds in Gaya, Nawada, Aurangabad., Kaimur and Rohtas districts under the ‘Jal, Jeewan, Hariyali’ scheme in Magadh region. All this will lead to the enhancement of the water table across the state, he added.