After three rain-heavy years, Hyd records sharp monsoon shortfall | Hyderabad News

Hyderabad: Hyderabad’s monsoon ended with a 27% rainfall deficit this year, snapping a three-year run of above-normal seasons and underscoring growing concerns about how rapid urbanisation may be influencing the city’s local climate.While Telangana finished the southwest monsoon season in the normal category despite a 17% rainfall deficit, Hyderabad remained firmly in the deficient zone, receiving 458.2 mm of rain against its normal 627.2 mm between June 1 and Sept 30.The 2026 monsoon marks a sharp reversal for the city after several wetter than normal years. Over the past 13 years, Hyderabad has witnessed significant swings in monsoon performance, alternating between deficit and surplus rainfall seasons.Prof B Srinagesh, professor of geography at Osmania University, said rapid urbanisation was increasingly influencing Hyderabad’s local climate. Changes in built-up areas, vegetation cover and water bodies were affecting surface temperatures and local atmospheric conditions, he noted.In 2014, the city received 382 mm of rainfall during the southwest monsoon, 32% below normal. Rainfall improved to 499.2 mm in 2015, though it was still 11% below normal. Another deficient monsoon followed in 2018, when rainfall was 29% lower than normal.The trend shifted thereafter, with Hyderabad recording 700.4 mm of rainfall in 2019 and 802.7 mm in 2020. Rainfall in 2020 was 29% above normal, making it one of the wettest monsoon seasons in recent years. Although rainfall dipped to 562.1 mm in 2021, a sustained wet spell followed.The city received 742.9 mm in 2022, 769.5 mm in 2023 and 829.1 mm in 2024, with the latter standing 34% above normal. Against this backdrop, this year’s total of 458.2 mm represents a steep decline from recent monsoon levels.Hyderabad had recorded 453.1 mm of rainfall by Sept 23 against a normal of 592.8 mm, with only around 5 mm added during the final week of the season.Studies on Hyderabad have also highlighted the urban heat-island effect, with heavily built-up areas recording higher surface temperatures. Researchers have linked land-use changes and urban expansion to shifts in local rainfall patterns, including variations in rainfall intensity and distribution.