Relative contribution of synoptic systems to monsoon rainfall over Orissa

Abstract

ABSTRACT. The low/depression over northwest (NW) Bay of Bengal is the largest contributor to seasonal monsoon rainfall over all stations in Orissa and Orissa as a whole. The Low Pressure Systems (LPS) and cyclonic circulation (cycir) extending upto 500 hPa level over NW Bay of Bengal alone contribute about 22% to the seasonal monsoon rainfall through about 12 days. The monsoon trough without any significant embedded systems over Orissa and adjoining regions contributes about 28% to seasonal rainfall through about 55 days. All types of LPS including low, depression and cyclonic storm yield maximum rainfall in their left forward (southwest) sectors. The maximum rainfall belt lies more southward due to a depression compared to that due to a low. The spatial distribution of rainfall due to cycir is less systematic. The interaction due to Eastern Ghat plays a significant role in spatial distribution of rainfall over western and eastern sides of the Eastern Ghat due to monsoon lows and depressions over Orissa and adjoining Bay and land regions. The orographic interaction due to Eastern Ghat with the cycirs over Orissa and adjoining Bay and land regions is significantly less leading to no significant difference in spatial distribution of rainfall over eastern and western sides of the Eastern Ghat.