Pre-Monsoon Rains Break Three-Year Record in Chittorgarh

Jaipur, June 16: Pre-monsoon rains in Chittorgarh district have shattered records ahead of the official arrival of the southwest monsoon in Rajasthan. In the first 15 days of June, the district received 88 mm of rainfall, surpassing the levels recorded during the same period over the past three years.

After a scorching heatwave during the ‘Nautapa’ period, expectations of a weak monsoon have been disproven by this unusually heavy rainfall.

According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the monsoon is expected to reach Chittorgarh and the Mewar region between June 22 and June 25. If the current weather pattern persists, June 2026 could be one of the wettest months in recent years.

Data from the past four years highlights the significance of this year’s pre-monsoon rainfall. The 88 mm recorded in just the first half of June exceeds the total of 75 mm for the entire month of June 2025 and is nearly equal to the 91.2 mm recorded in June 2024.

However, this year’s rainfall is slightly less than the levels seen during the same period in 2023, when Cyclone Biparjoy caused significant downpours. Nonetheless, meteorologists consider the current pattern to be highly unusual for a typical pre-monsoon season. These figures reflect the exceptionally intense pre-monsoon activity observed this year.

Despite this strong start, weather scientists caution that the ongoing El Niño conditions could impact the overall monsoon season. Dr. R.S. Sharma, Director of IMC Jaipur, noted that active El Niño conditions may reduce rainfall during the main monsoon months. This phenomenon can weaken southwest monsoon winds and diminish seasonal rainfall. Consequently, total monsoon rainfall this year may reach only about 90% of the long-term average, placing it in the below-normal category despite the heavy pre-monsoon rains.

El Niño is a climatic event characterized by warmer-than-average sea surface temperatures in the central and eastern Pacific Ocean, which affects the southwest monsoon in India. Typically, El Niño leads to a weaker monsoon, resulting in below-average rainfall and potential drought conditions. According to the IMD, the southwest monsoon has already reached the Kerala coast and is rapidly advancing into various parts of peninsular and eastern India.

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