Sunday, August 28, 2011

India Major Cities (Population above 2 million) 2011 yearly Rainfall till 27.08.2011

Rainfall in cm year total

  1. Mumbai – 237
  2. Kolkata – 122
  3. Lucknow – 95
  4. Bangalore – 83
  5. Surat – 79
  6. Chennai – 70
  7. Nagpur – 67
  8. Ahmedabad – 62
  9. Pune – 55
  10. Jaipur – 50
  11. Delhi – 48
  12. Hyderabad – 47

Chennai NEM is yet to begin. Will it catch second place at the year end?

Saturday, August 27, 2011

Kollur crosses 6000 mm and manages to lead SWM toppers till 27.08.2011

The race to be the wettest place in India during SWM 2011 is hotting up and we have only one month to go. September which is considered to be the least wettest during SWM has always thrown surprises. There are only few contenders to take the top spot, one of the surprise entrant is Kollur in Karnataka, which has managed to cross 6000 mm in August itself.

The break up of Kollur Rainfall are as follows -
  1. 1000 mm - 15 days
  2. 2000 mm - 28 days (13 days for the 1000 mm)
  3. 3000 mm - 36 days (8 days for the 1000 mm)
  4. 4000 mm - 48 days (12 days for the 1000 mm)
  5. 5000 mm - 65 days (17 days for the 1000 mm)
  6. 6000 mm - 88 days (23 days for the 1000 mm)

All India SWM toppers from 01.06.2011 to 27.08.2011 (88 days)

Rainfall in mm's (Min 3500 mm)
  1. Kollur (Karnataka) - 6022
  2. Agumbe (Karnataka) - 5879
  3. Sangameshwar (Maharashtra) - 5772
  4. Gaganbawada (Maharashtra) - 5267
  5. Cherrapunji (Meghalaya) - 5184
  6. Mulshi (Maharashtra) - 4810
  7. Mahabaleshwar (Maharashtra) - 4529
  8. Bhira (Maharashtra) - 4392
  9. Kadra (Karnataka) - 4326
  10. Radhanagri (Maharashtra) - 4268
  11. Siddapura (Karnataka) - 4137
  12. Gerosoppa (Karnataka) - 4092
  13. Gorkhana (Karnataka) - 3981
  14. Koyna (Maharashtra) - 3959
  15. Rajapur (Maharashtra) - 3947
  16. Mandangad (Maharashtra) - 3830
  17. Chinnakallar (Tamil Nadu) - 3792
  18. Lanja (Maharashtra) - 3754
  19. Ratnagiri (Maharashtra) - 3753
  20. Tillari (Maharashtra) - 3733
  21. Kanakavali (Maharashtra) - 3724
  22. Valpoi (Goa) - 3713
  23. Lonavala (Maharashtra) - 3691
  24. Karkala (Karnataka) - 3690
  25. Bhagamandala (Karnataka) - 3674
  26. Quepem (Goa) - 3615
  27. Chiplun (Maharashtra) - 3500
Places such as Tamini, Hulikal, Nilkund, Mawsynarm, Amboli and Castle Rock would have also made above 3500 mm list.

Thursday, August 25, 2011

Records breaking Heavy rains in Chennai in August 2011

Heavy rains lashed the city late in the evening on Wednesday and went on to mid night. The lack of usable storm water drains was felt keenly, as many places were flooded. As much as two to three feet of water was seen on most of the roads. The intensity of the rain sometimes was more than 100 mm/hr.

Records Broken
The all-time record for 24hrs rainfall in August till yesterday for Chennai was 100.3 mm recorded on 20.08.2008. Yesterday (25.08.2011) rainfall at Chennai was 156.2 mm.

The all-time record for Monthly in August for Chennai is 336.3 mm recorded 117 years ago during the year 1894. Till yesterday (25.08.2011) the monthly rainfall at Chennai was 329.7 mm. Chennai needs just 6 mm more to break the 117 year record and it has 5 more days to go. I personally think the record will be broken.

Rainfall ending 8.30 am at 25.08.2011 (Places in and around Chennai)

Chennai (Nungabakkam) – 156 mm
Korattur - 105
Chembarabakkam - 60
Kadambathur – 60
Arakkonam – 38
Red Hills - 27
Poondi – 21
Cholavaram - 21
Chennai Airport (Meenambakkam) – 16
Ennore – 14
Gummidipoondi – 14
Tamaraipakkam - 10
Madhavaram – 7
Poondi – 9
Ellapuram – 8
Katpadi – 7
Madhavaram – 5

Sunday, August 21, 2011

All India SWM toppers from 01.06.2011 to 21.08.2011

I have added some more new stations (Koyna, Mulshi, Lonavala, Radhanagri and Tillari ) to the list.

Rainfall in mm's (Min 3000 mm)

  1. Kollur (Karnataka) - 5892
  2. Agumbe (Karnataka) - 5664
  3. Sangameshwar (Maharashtra) - 5542
  4. Gaganbawada (Maharashtra) - 5137
  5. Cherrapunji (Meghalaya) - 5104
  6. Mulshi (Maharashtra) - 4651
  7. Mahabaleshwar (Maharashtra) - 4371
  8. Kadra (Karnataka) - 4266
  9. Bhira (Maharashtra) - 4172
  10. Radhanagri (Maharashtra) - 4171
  11. Siddapura (Karnataka) - 3967
  12. Gorkhana (Karnataka) - 3921
  13. Rajapur (Maharashtra) - 3847
  14. Gerosoppa (Karnataka) - 3831
  15. Koyna (Maharashtra) - 3822
  16. Lanja (Maharashtra) - 3654
  17. Valpoi (Goa) - 3623
  18. Bhagamandala (Karnataka) - 3614
  19. Ratnagiri (Maharashtra) - 3608
  20. Tillari (Maharashtra) - 3607
  21. Chinnakallar (Tamil Nadu) - 3602
  22. Quepem (Goa) - 3575
  23. Kanakavali (Maharashtra) - 3544
  24. Mandangad (Maharashtra) - 3500
  25. Lonawala (Maharashra) - 3477
  26. Karkala (Karnataka) - 3471
  27. Vadakara (Kerala) - 3408
  28. Mhasla (Maharashtra) - 3322
  29. Sawantwadi (Maharashtra) - 3300
  30. Bhaktal (Karnataka) - 3287
  31. Chiplun (Maharashtra) - 3259
  32. Honavar (Karnataka) - 3185
  33. Malvan (Maharashtra) - 3170
  34. Sanguem (Goa) - 3159
  35. Udupi (Karnataka) - 3044

Many other heavy rainfall places which receive rainfall above 4000 mm and have failed to rock this year are as follows - Kottigehara 2947, Matheran 2767, Shirali 2761, Devala 2578, Buxaduar 2530, Vythiri 2299, Peermade 1929 and Passighat 1492 have got below normal rains so far. (Kerala and Tamilnadu places above have NEM quota to fulfill their annual rainfall)

Places such as Tamini, Hulikal, Nilkund, Mawsynarm, Amboli and Castle Rock would have also made above 3000 mm list.

Saturday, August 20, 2011

The Living Bridges of Cherrapunji

In an remote corner of Northeast India lives an indigenous tribal people who have been mostly left alone until the past hundred years. Without the amenities of modern technology or engineering, the War-Khasi people have designed an absolutely ingenious way to cross rivers and gulches; manipulating living tree roots to form natural bridges.


The Ficus elastica is a type of rubber tree native to the region. In addition to their massive size and manipulability, the trees have a secondary root system that is essential to the construction of the bridges. They grow out from higher up in the trunk due to their tendency to live above water sources and dip far down into the rivers. Hundreds of years ago, the Khasi people realized the potential benefit of these roots and began to shape them to their advantage.


By taking the trunks of betel nut trees, hollowing them out and cutting in them in half, the tribespeople show the roots where they want them to grow. As the roots slowly grow in search of water, their path continues down the inside of the betel trunk, across the length of the river or ravine. One they arrive at their destination, they’re allowed to dig into the soil and grow strong, and do they ever grow strong.


After about 10-15 years of traveling across the river, the root bridges can eventually hold over 5,000 pounds of weight. Some of them are up to 100 feet in length and the oldest of the bunch is believed to have been constructed around the 16th century.


In recent years, the Khasis actually wanted to get with the times and tear down the bridges to make way for steel ones. It wasn’t until a local resort owner stepped in and realized the worth of these ancient marvels. He convinced them to keep them up and began to photograph them to show the bridges off to the world. Some of them are absolutely stunning, but most magnificent of them all is the Umshiang Double-Decker, shown below.


The Khasis even recently started to grow another bridge.

Source: www.thereifixedit.failblog.org
Courtesy: Atlas Obscura and Tree Hugger.

Thursday, August 18, 2011

Rainfall Toppers in Tamil Nadu from 1.6.2011 to 18.8.2011


Rainfall in mm (min 500 mm)
  1. Chinnakallar (Coimbatore) - 3488
  2. Devala (Nilgiris) - 2508
  3. Sholayar (Coimbatore) - 2037
  4. Valparai (Coimbatore) - 1982
  5. Parsons Valley (Nilgiris) - 1611
  6. Naduvattam (Nilgiris) - 1498
  7. Upper Bhavani (Nilgris) - 1465
  8. Porthimund (Nilgiris) - 1393
  9. Periyar Dam (Theni) - 1086
  10. Glenmorgan (Nilgiris) - 922
  11. Emerland (Nilgiris) - 898
  12. Upper Kodayar (Kanyakumari) - 784
  13. Pykara (Nilgiris) - 730
  14. Lower Kodayar (Kanyakumari) - 666
  15. Mukurthy (Nilgris) - 531
  16. Eravangalar (Theni) - 511

Tuesday, August 16, 2011

All India SWM Rainfall from 01.06.2011 to 15.08.2011 (75 days)

Rainfall in mm's (Min 3500 mm)
  1. Amgaon (Karnataka) - 6059
  2. Kollur (Karnataka) - 5657
  3. Kitwade (Maharashtra) - 5652
  4. Dajipur (Maharashtra) - 5503
  5. Agumbe (Karnataka) - 5432
  6. Sangameshwar (Maharashtra) - 5179
  7. Kanakumbi (Karanataka) - 5093
  8. Gaganbawada (Maharashtra) - 5023
  9. Talacavery (Karnataka) - 4667
  10. Castle Rock (Karnataka) - 4645
  11. Gavali (Karnataka) - 4593
  12. Cherrapunji (Meghalaya) - 4524
  13. Mulshi (Maharashtra) - 4438
  14. Patagon (Maharashtra) - 4432
  15. Mahabaleshwar (Maharashtra) - 4356
  16. Mulikar (Karnataka) - 4268
  17. Amasebail (Karnataka) - 4192
  18. Kerveshe (Karnataka)- 4147
  19. Lajul (Maharashtra) - 4092
  20. Radhanagri (Maharashtra) - 4038
  21. Kadra (Karnataka) - 4033
  22. Kasari (Maharashtra) - 4003
  23. Albadi (Karnataka) - 3946
  24. Halady (Karnataka) - 3942
  25. Bhira (Maharashtra) - 3940
  26. Malgund (Maharashtra) - 3851
  27. Hardkhala (Maharashtra) - 3847
  28. Chatav (Maharashtra) - 3800 
  29. Siddapura (Karnataka) - 3797
  30. Koyna Dam (Maharashtra) - 3734 
  31. Kedinje (Karnataka) - 3711
  32. Nandivase (Maharashtra) - 3705 
  33. Naladi (Karnataka) - 3700
  34. Soliwade (Maharashtra) - 3679
  35. Gerosoppa (Karnataka) - 3617
  36. Karak (Maharashtra) - 3614
  37. Umgaon (Maharashtra) - 3570
  38. Bhagamandala (Karnataka) - 3524
  39. Rajapur (Maharashtra) - 3514
  40. Gorkhana (Karnataka) - 3533
  41. Valpoi (Goa) - 3520
  42. Ajekar (Karanataka) - 3511
  43. Quepem (Goa) - 3510
  44. Katagal (Karnataka)  - 3501
  45. Dapoli (Maharashtra) ~ 3500 
  46. Ratnagiri (Maharashtra) ~ 3500
  47. Puttige (Maharashtra) ~ 3500
  48. Pawas (Maharashtra) ~ 3500
  49. Kurdhunda (Maharashtra) ~ 3500
  50. Vaibhavwadi (Maharashtra) ~ 3500
  51. Tillari (Maharashtra) ~ 3500
  52. Kurdhunda (Maharashtra) ~ 3500
  53. Chinnakallar (Tamil Nadu) ~ 3500
  54. Vendse (Karnataka) ~ 3500
  55. Chapoli (Karnataka) ~ 3500
Many other heavy rainfall places which receive rainfall above 4000 mm such as Buxaduar, Matheran, Passighat, Devala and Shirali have got below normal rains so far.

Places such as Tamini, Hulikal, Mawsynarm, would have also made above 3500 mm list.

Monday, August 15, 2011

Dam Levels in Tamil Nadu as on 15.08.2011

The South west monsoon is a failure in most of the district of Tamil Nadu except Chennai, Tiruvallur, Coimbatore and Nilgiris. The reservoirs which give water supply to Chennai have better storage compared to last year figures. Some big dams in Coimbatore district such as Sholayar, Parambikulam, Upper Aliyar and Thunnakkadavu are full or nearing full capacity. Except 4 districts quoted above, the storage is not looking good. But the good thing is during the past week SWM is getting active in these central and coastal districts wihch has got below normal rains. Before the NEM starts, the storage will improve further.

Click on the image to open in a new page.



Thursday, August 4, 2011

Tamil Nadu Rainfall Toppers during SWM 2011

The two giants have occupied the first two spots clearly shows that in TN, Chinna Kallar and Devala has no fair competitors. Upper Kodayar and Upper Bhavani have got very less compared to is normal rains.


Rainfall in mm from 1.6.2011 to 4.8.2011
  1. Chinnakallar (Coimbatore) - 2817
  2. Devala (Nilgiris) - 2191
  3. Sholayar (Coimbatore) - 1740
  4. Valparai (Coimbatore) - 1573
  5. Parsons Valley (Nilgiris) - 1549
  6. Naduvattam (Nilgiris) - 1314
  7. Upper Bhavani (Nilgris) - 1288
  8. Porthimund (Nilgiris) - 1270
  9. Periyar Dam (Theni) - 953
  10. Emerland (Nilgiris) - 798
  11. Upper Kodayar (Kanyakumari) - 740
  12. Glenmorgan (Nilgiris) - 733
  13. Pykara (Nilgiris) - 621
  14. Lower Kodayar (Kanyakumari) - 592
  15. Tiruvallur - 390

Sangameshwar crosses 5000 mm and overtakes Kollur for the race of wettest place during SWM 2011

What a rainfall Sangameshwar had in 2011. Kollur was leading Sangameshwar by more than 1000 mm during mid July. In last 5 days, Sangameshwar has got 840 mm and it was enough to overtake Kollur. The much famed Cherrapunji got 250 mm today. Will its legendery rainfall start, we can see that by end of September. I have missed noting down many places such as Tamini, Lonavala and Koyna.

Rainfall Toppers from 01.06.2011 to 03.08.2011 (64 days)

Rainfall in mm's
  1. Sangameshwar (Maharashtra) - 5036
  2. Kollur (Karnataka) - 4982
  3. Gaganbawada (Maharashtra) - 4485
  4. Agumbe (Karnataka) - 4439
  5. Mahabaleshwar (Maharashtra) - 3600
  6. Kadra (Karnataka) - 3576
  7. Rajapur (Maharashtra) - 3507
  8. Cherrapunji (Meghalaya) - 3488
  9. Ratnagiri (Maharashtra) - 3324
  10. Bhira (Maharashtra) - 3312
  11. Lanja (Maharashtra) - 3280
  12. Quepem (Goa) - 3255
  13. Siddapura (Karnataka) - 3217
  14. Gersoppa (Karnataka) - 3177
  15. Valopi (Goa) - 3153

Monday, August 1, 2011

Rainfall Toppers from 01.06.2011 to 31.07.2011 (61 days)

Rainfall in mm's (Min 2500 mm)
  1. Kollur (Karnataka) - 4832
  2. Dajipur (Maharashtra) - 4654
  3. Sangameshwar (Maharashtra) - 4375
  4. Gaganbawada (Maharashtra) - 4223
  5. Agumbe (Karnataka) - 4166
  6. Kitwade (Maharashtra) - 4000
  7. Lajul (Maharashtra) - 3555
  8. Kadra (Karnataka) - 3450
  9. Mahabaleshwar (Maharashtra) - 3447
  10. Mulshi Dam (Maharashtra) - 3370
  11. Soliwade (Maharashtra) - 3340
  12. Malgund (Maharashtra) - 3287
  13. Nerur (Maharashtra) - 3287
  14. Cherrapunji (Meghalaya) - 3233
  15. Radhanagari Dam (Maharashtra) - 3183
  16. Banda (Maharashtra) - 3130 
  17. Karak (Maharashtra) - 3130
  18. Chatav (Maharashtra) - 3125
  19. Awlegaon (Maharashtra) - 3125
  20. Bhira (Maharashtra) - 3122
  21. Quepem (Goa) - 3075
  22. Gerosoppa (Karnataka) - 3046
  23. Siddapura (Karnataka) - 3036
  24. Pawas (Maharashtra) - 3031
  25. Palsamb (Maharashtra) - 3031
  26. Rajapur (Maharashtra) - 3001
  27. Ratnagiri (Maharashtra) - 3000
  28. Girye (Maharashtra) - 2993 
  29. Nandivase (Maharashtra) - 2993
  30. Gorkhana (Karnataka) - 2960
  31. Vaibhavwadi (Maharashtra) - 2953
  32. Dapoli (Maharashtra) - 2952 
  33. Tarandale (Maharashtra) - 2916
  34. Lanja (Maharashtra) - 2915
  35. Raipatan (Maharashtra) - 2915
  36. Valpoi (Goa) - 2905
  37. Umgaon (Maharashtra) - 2880
  38. Koyna Dam (Maharashtra) - 2878
  39. Tillari (Maharashtra) - 2855
  40. Poynar (Maharashtra)-  2849
  41. Shirshingi (Maharashtra) - 2849
  42. Kankavali (Maharashtra) - 2843
  43. Shirgaon (Maharashtra) - 2824
  44. Ainari (Maharashtra) - 2824 
  45. Shembavane (Maharashtra) - 2800
  46. Sarambala (Maharashtra) - 2800 
  47. Gulvane (Maharashtra) - 2795
  48. Dukanwadi (Maharashtra) - 2795
  49. Nardave (Maharashtra) - 2781 
  50. Kurdhunda (Maharashtra) - 2781
  51. Konhawali (Maharashtra) - 2780
  52. Sangulwadi (Maharashtra) - 2780
  53. Digawade (Maharashtra) - 2752 
  54. Kumbharkhani (Maharashtra) - 2752
  55. Pathardi (Maharashtra) - 2751
  56. Shivdav (Maharashtra) - 2745
  57. Pastewadi (Maharashtra) - 2745
  58. Bhagamandala (Karnataka) - 2745
  59. Mahalasa (Maharashtra) - 2741 
  60. Sawantwadi (Maharashtra) - 2688
  61. Tiware (Maharashtra) - 2688 
  62. Nadgadwadi (Maharashtra) - 2678
  63. Latwan (Maharashtra) - 2672
  64. Golvan (Maharashtra) - 2671
  65. Chiplun (Maharashtra) - 2664
  66. Talsar (Maharashtra) - 2653
  67. Pawarwadi (Maharashtra) - 2647
  68. Thankarwadi (Maharashtra) - 2646
  69. Lavel (Maharashtra) - 2624
  70. Het (Maharashtra) - 2624 
  71. Sanglat (Maharashtra) - 2621
  72. Walawal (Maharashtra) - 2621
  73. Chinnakallar (Tamil Nadu) - 2617
  74. Dodamarg (Maharashtra) - 2616
  75. Malvan (Maharashtra) - 2613
  76. Mandangad (Maharashtra) - 2609
  77. Vadakara (Kerala) - 2592 
  78. Roha (Maharashtra) - 2588 
  79. Tilariwadi (Maharashtra) - 2584 
  80. Karambavne (Maharashtra) - 2583
  81. Lonavala Dam (Maharashtra) - 2580
  82. Kheravase (Maharashtra) - 2580
  83. Hardkhala (Maharashtra) - 2565
  84. Tala (Maharashtra) - 2561
  85. Sudhagad (Maharashtra) - 2560
  86. Angiwade (Maharashtra) - 2555
  87. Mirvane (Maharashtra) - 2555
  88. Sanguem (Goa) - 2545
  89. Kudup (Maharashtra) - 2542
  90. Phondaghat (Maharashtra) - 2542
  91. Kudal (Maharashtra) - 2539
  92. Karkala (Karnataka) - 2537
  93. Murud (Maharashtra) - 2523 
  94. Ghonsari (Maharashtra) - 2506
  95. Shiravali (Maharashtra) - 2500
  96. Radhanagari (Maharashtra) - 2500
  97. Canacona (Goa) - 2500
  98. Tulshi Lake (Maharashtra) - 2500
  99. Bhatkal (Karnataka) - 2500