It is difficult to trust viral information about monsoon

23-Jun-2025 01:18 PM

Thiruvananthapuram. Some figures about monsoon rainfall being circulated by self-proclaimed weather experts on social media are difficult to trust. These numbers are often incomplete, partially true, or misleading.

It is true that between 1 and 15 June 2025, the southwest monsoon remained mostly inactive, resulting in 31 percent less rainfall than the normal average.

However, since June 16, monsoon activity picked up rapidly and by June 21, the nationwide rainfall deficit had reduced to just 5 percent. The Meteorological Department expects further rainfall to bring totals above the normal average by the end of June.

One viral message claims that, as of June 22, several subdivisions or states have received significantly less rainfall compared to the normal average.

According to this information, Vidarbha recorded 59 percent less rainfall, Marathwada 41 percent, Telangana 45 percent, Arunachal Pradesh 40 percent, Chhattisgarh 39 percent, coastal Andhra Pradesh 37 percent, and Assam-Meghalaya 34 percent.

These figures are reportedly based on Meteorological Department data and may be technically correct, but they don't present the complete picture.

For example, Maharashtra has received 4 percent more rainfall than the normal average overall, but this has been unevenly distributed across its regions.

Similarly, despite reports of below-average rainfall in Assam and Meghalaya, these areas experienced heavy monsoon rains and severe flooding. Tripura, Manipur and Mizoram also received good rainfall during this period.

Monsoon arrived in Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh on June 16, triggering heavy rains. Rainfall in interior parts of Andhra Pradesh has been normal, though coastal areas remain relatively dry.

Only official data from the Meteorological Department should be relied upon for accurate information. Viral claims on social media should be viewed with caution.