Northwest Pacific tropical cyclone activity and July rainfall over India

Summary In 2002, India had experienced one of the most severe droughts. The severe drought conditions were caused by the unprecedented deficient rainfall in July 2002, in which only 49% of the normal rainfall was received. One of the major circulation anomalies observed during July 2002, was the active monsoon trough over Northwest (NW) Pacific and enhanced typhoon activity over this region. The present study was designed to examine the long-term relationships between Tropical Cyclone (TC) activity over NW Pacific and monsoon rainfall over India in July. A statistically significant negative correlation between TC days over NW Pacific and July rainfall over India was observed. Spatial dependence of the relationship revealed that TCs forming over NW Pacific east of 150° E and moving northwards have an adverse effect on Indian monsoon rainfall. It was observed that TCs forming over the South China Sea and moving westwards may have a positive impact on monsoon rainfall over India. Enhanced TC activity over NW Pacific during July 2002 induced weaker monsoon circulation over the Indian region due to large-scale subsidence.