After nearly two weeks of relatively good rainfall in many parts of the country, the monsoon deficit for June has been significantly reduced. As of now, only Northwest India has received better than expected rainfall.
India as a whole had a deficit of about 23 per cent till Monday, an improvement from the over 50 per cent deficit earlier this month. Cyclone Biparjoy brought rains to Gujarat and Rajasthan, helping to improve the situation. In the last week, rains in northwest India have helped bridge the deficit.
However, the overall situation is still concerning. Southern India has a 46 per cent shortfall, central India is 35 per cent below normal, and eastern India has a 23 per cent deficiency. Bihar and Jharkhand are among the driest states, with Bihar receiving only 22 per cent and Jharkhand receiving 36 per cent of their normal rainfall.
Kerala has only received 36 per cent of its rainfall, while Maharashtra has received 30 per cent. The monsoon has arrived at most parts of the country, but the rainfall has been inconsistent, especially in the southern states.
A low pressure area over Odisha and adjoining areas has brought some rainfall in the region in the last two days. The India Meteorological Department expects this rainfall to continue for four to five days. Other parts of the country are also expected to receive rainfall until the end of the month, though many states and districts are still very dry.
IMD had predicted an 8 per cent deficiency for June, and good rainfall in the remaining days of the month could reduce the current 23 per cent deficit. However, the wide regional variation, with states like Maharashtra and Bihar seeing very little rainfall, means the overall monsoon situation at the end of the month could still be concerning.
