Annual Rainfall Distribution Map

Rains play a crucial role for India in many ways. It helps in agricultural activities, filling up several dams, reservoirs, and canals, and provides relief from the extremely hot temperatures. Rains in India are mostly received during the monsoons. It witnesses two types of monsoons during a year. One is the Southwest Monsoon or the Summer monsoon and the other one is the Northeast Monsoon or the Winter Monsoon.

Almost one-third of India’s rain is received from the Southwest Monsoons from tune to September. This is the time when most parts of the country receive heavy rainfalls. But there is a difference in the average rainfall all over India. While some parts receive heavy rainfalls, some receive less or low rainfall.

Annual Rainfall Distribution of India

In India, the Indian Meteorological Department records all the data regarding monsoons. It also prepares maps and infographics showing the regional, district, and state-wise rainfall distribution. It also gives updates regarding advancing and retreating monsoons and warnings in case of floods, cyclones, etc.

Every year India records a varied amount of rainfall. It is because of the irregular precipitation and the different climatic conditions. According to IMD, the annual average rainfall in India for the period 1971 to 2020 is 118cm. In 2021, India recorded 874.6 mm of rainfall during the Southwest monsoon.

The distribution of rainfall in India is done in the following way:

Extreme Precipitation Regions

The Extreme Precipitation Region is the region that receives heavy rainfalls. It includes the Northeastern region and the windward side of Western Ghats. Assam, Meghalaya, and Arunachal Pradesh also lie in this region. It receives an average annual rainfall of 400 cm and mostly contains tropical rainforests. Mawsynram, the village of Meghalaya that receives the highest rainfall in India is included in this zone as well.

Heavy Precipitation Regions

The Heavy Precipitation region includes most parts of Eastern India. West Bengal, Tripura, Nagaland, Manipur, Odisha, Bihar, and the sub-Himalayan belt are part of this zone. It receives an average annual rainfall of 200 cm to 300 cm. It also consists of tropical rainforests.

Moderate Precipitation Regions

The Moderate Precipitation Region is mostly of Wet Deciduous forests. It receives an average annual rainfall of 100 cm to 200 cm. Bihar, parts of West Bengal, Odisha, Madhya Pradesh, and Andhra Pradesh along with the leeward side of Western Ghats are part of this region.

Scanty Precipitation Regions

Karnataka, Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, Western Uttar Pradesh, and some parts of Maharashtra are included in the Scanty Precipitation Region. It receives an annual average rainfall of 50 cm to 100 cm. Tropical Grasslands, Dry Deciduous forests are found in this region.

Desert and Semi-Desert Regions

Desert and Semi-Desert Regions comprise the areas that receive the lowest rainfall in India. It includes Rajasthan, Gujarat and its neighbouring parts of Jammu and Kashmir. These areas receive an average annual rainfall of less than 50 cm.

Monthly Distribution of Rainfall in India in 2021

Month	Actual (mm)	Normal (mm)	% Departure
01/06/21	182.9	166.9	11.00%
01/07/21	266.9	285.3	-6.73%
01/08/21	195.9	258.2	-24.13%
01/09/21	229.7	170.2	34.96%
SouthWest MSouthwest21	874.6	880.6	-0.68%

Regional Distribution of Rainfall in India (Pre Monsoon 2022)

Cumulative Seasonal Rainfall (01.03.2022 to 26.05.2022)

Region	Actual (mm)	Normal (mm)	% Departure
Whole Country	124	119.8	3.00%
Northwest India	38.2	109.3	-65.00%
East & Northeast India	429.2	338.6	27.00%
Central India	20.3	33.3	-39.00%
South Peninsula	188.2	107.1	76.00%

Last Updated on: August 25, 2022