Content courtesy: Indian Meteorological Department
Mean annual temperature for the country as a whole during 2010 was +0.93 0C above the 1961-1990 average. It was slightly higher than that of the year 2009, thus making the year 2010 as the warmest year on record since 1901.
Considering different seasons, Pre-Monsoon season (March-May) in 2010 was the warmest since 1901 with mean temperature being 1.8 0C above normal
The annual total rainfall for the country as a whole was normal during the year 2010 with actual rainfall of 121.5 cm against the long period average (LPA) of 119.7 cm.
Seasonal rainfall during monsoon season (June to September) contributes about 75% of total annual rainfall for the country as a whole. Seasonal monsoon rainfall during 2010 was 102% of its LPA of 89 cm. Out of 597 meteorological districts for which data are available, 29% of the districts (173 districts) received excess rainfall, 40% (240 districts) received normal rainfall, 29% (173 districts) received deficient rainfall and the remaining 2% (11 districts) received scanty rainfall during the season.
The north Indian Ocean witnessed the formation of eight cyclonic disturbances (depression & above) during 2010 which was far below the normal of 13 disturbances. However, five cyclones formed during 2010 which is the first such year after 1998 when six cyclones formed. There was no depression during monsoon season.
Out of five cyclones, three cyclones made landfall with atleast cyclonic storm intensity. Out of these three, only one (severe cyclonic storm, LAILA, 17-21 May 2010) crossed Indian coast (crossed Andhra Pradesh coast near Bapatla on 20th May evening).
Death toll due to heavy rains / floods in different parts of the country, during the monsoon season, was more than 500 (mostly from northern and northwestern parts). Heavy rainfall events in November 2010 tool a toll of more than 50 people from peninsular parts (AP, TN and Karnataka) of the country.
Northeastern states, sub-Himalayan West Bengal and Bihar experienced enhanced thunderstorm activity during pre-monsoon season, 2010.
Abnormally warm conditions (heat wave) prevailed over major parts of the country during March and April months. These heat wave conditions claimed more than 300 lives.
Severe cold wave conditions prevailed over northern plains in January and during first fortnight of February. Maximum temperature over a number of stations over the northern plains was 5 to 10o C below normal on many occasions during January. Cold wave conditions claimed more than 600 lives.
A Tornado like situation with strong winds estimated to be more than 100 kmph raged havoc in West Bengal and Bihar on 13 April, claiming more than120 lives. More than 80000 houses were destroyed.
A cloud burst in early hours of 6 August in Leh (J&K) claimed more than 150 lives and more than 500 people were missing.