Hyderabad: Driest October in three decades as rains play truant

Hyderabad: Hyderabad is currently grappling with an unusual dry spell. The first 20 days of this month have passed without rain, making this the driest October in three decades.

India Meteorological Department (IMD) has delivered grim news, predicting that there will be no respite from this arid situation for the rest of the month.

For Hyderabad residents, accustomed to the annual gift of rain in October, this year's anomaly is both astonishing and concerning. IMD's historical data, spanning back to 1991, reveals that October has traditionally been a wet and rainy month for the city.

The stark contrast to previous years becomes glaringly evident when we look back to October 2020, when Hyderabad was blessed with a remarkable 400.7 millimeters of rainfall, marking the highest October rainfall in a decade. However, the current October paints a completely different picture, with not a single drop of rain recorded thus far, and the dry conditions persisting throughout the month.

The unrelenting dry spell has not only left residents longing for the familiar sight of rain but has also pushed temperatures to new heights. Daytime temperatures have consistently hovered between 33 and 35 degrees Celsius. The city is experiencing a taste of early summer, a phenomenon that hasn't been seen during this month for several years.

Dr. A. Shravani, a scientist at IMD-Hyderabad, has commented on the situation, explaining that this dry spell is unlikely to change in the near future. She noted, "The rise in daytime temperatures is expected to continue for at least another week in Hyderabad. Nights will also remain sultry. Winter is scheduled to arrive during the second week of November."

The absence of October rain is not only a meteorological anomaly but also a matter of concern for various aspects of life in Hyderabad. Agriculture, water resources, and daily routines are all affected by the uncharacteristic dryness. Farmers are facing challenges in crop cultivation, and reservoirs that typically receive a boost from October rains are struggling.

With the persistent dry spell, the city looks forward to November, hoping for the return of rain to replenish the parched lands and offer respite from the unusual warmth. Until then, Hyderabad continues to grapple with the unusual and historic dryness of October 2023.