Persistence, intensification and recession of meteorological drought over India during 1987

Abstract

The persistence, intensification and recession of districtwise meteorological drought over India during 1987 have been studied using cumulative weekly rainfall deficiencies (%) from the normal during the southwest monsoon season (June-September) for 355 districts of India.  These  features have been analysed in northeast, North and Peninsular India during three distinct  phases  of  southwest  monsoon,  viz., progress ( 9 weeks),  active ( 6 weeks) and retreat phase ( 3 weeks). 

A prolonged dry spell emerged over a vast region of northwest India up to mid August due to the absence of major weather systems, leading to intense drought conditions.   Mixed mode persistence prevailed throughout monsoon season over 65 districts. Unimode persistence of severe intensity occurred in 209 districts over different parts of India.  Intensification of drought was more prominent in north India affecting 67% districts.  Recession of drought occurred in 40% and more districts in northeast and Peninsular India respectively.