Synoptic & climatological aspects of extreme rainfall over western Himalayas towards end of 2014 southwest monsoon season

Abstract

A diagnostic study has been carried out to analyse and understand the causes of unusual rainfall activity over Jammu & Kashmir (J&K) State during 2nd to 5th September, 2014. The careful examination of available historical rainfall data of India Meteorological Department (IMD) network reveals that many stations in the region received ever-highest 24, 48 & 72 hours cumulative rainfall during first week of September in 2014, breaking all previous records. In result, there was flooding in most parts of the State, which has caused loss of human lives and huge loss of property. The synoptic interpretation of this unusual event carried out in the study confirms very favourable meteorological conditions, as there was a western disturbance (WD) in form of cyclonic circulation/trough in mid-tropospheric level, which remained practically stationary over north Pakistan and adjoining Jammu & Kashmir from 2nd to 5th September, 2014 and its interaction with a monsoon Low-Pressure Area (LPA) over northwest & adjoining central India during the same period. In addition, jet maxima of the order 60-80 knots and high moisture advection from the Bay of Bengal as well as from Arabian Sea over the region were also responsible for this unusual rainfall.