Figures for the last six months (April to September) show that rainfall in Georgetown was 33% above average but Mabaruma in the north west saw 68.5% less rain than normal though this normal figure is based on data from 1951 to 1980.
The rainfall figures are provided on a daily basis by the hydrometeorological service of the Ministry of Agriculture.
For the six-month period, Georgetown chalked up 69.19 inches of rain compared to the normal figure of 51.98. Mabaruma in Region One (Barima/Waini) registered 38.69 inches when the normal figure would be 65.23.
Of the other two selected areas of study, Lethem in Region Nine (Upper Takutu/Upper Essequibo experienced a 30.8% hike in rain.
The normal figure for this area would be 50.54 over six months while it actually received 66.12 inches. Skeldon in Region Six (East Berbice/Corentyne) showed the smallest deviation in rainfall. Its normal cumulative figure for six months is 44.64 inches and it actually received 47.48 inches, a rise of 6.36%.
August was one of the very unusual months for Georgetown. Whereas normal rainfall was pegged at 7.92 inches it received almost double that – 15.07 inches. For Lethem, July showed a big deviation. Normal rainfall would be 12.86 inches but it received 18.73 inches.
Mabaruma experienced several months of abnormally low rain. In April, normal rainfall would have been 5.52 inches but it only experienced 1.59 inches. In July normal rainfall would have been 13.21 inches. Actual rainfall was 7.74 inches. Region One had been severely afflicted with drought-like conditions during the El Nino event in the mid-90s.
