Halfway into Monsoon season, 25% of Indian regions face rainfall deficit

Halfway into the Monsoon season, 25 per cent of the 36 meteorological subdivisions in India have recorded deficient rainfall.

According to the India Meteorological Department data, the country experienced 9 per cent more rainfall than normal in July (306.6 mm compared to the normal of 280.5 mm), with cumulative precipitation of 453.8 mm against the normal of 445.8 mm since June 1, a surplus of two per cent.

However, the rainfall in July was unevenly distributed, both spatially and temporally.

East Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, Gangetic West Bengal and parts of the northeast have recorded significant rainfall deficits.

The rainfall deficit in Haryana, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir ranged from 35 per cent to 45 per cent.

According to the IMD data, 13 subdivisions have recorded above-average rainfall, 14 recorded normal and 9 deficit precipitation.

The rainfall deficit in East and Northeast India increased from 13.3 per cent on June 30 to 19 per cent on July 31,