Country receives 45% lesser rainfall than expected in first spell of monsoon

NEW DELHI: India’s rainfall deficit for June has widened to 40% on Wednesday from 38% a day earlier as the monsoon has not advanced further for the 11th consecutive day, increasing the anxiety of farmers and policy makers about the dry spell’s impact on food prices and production. The country received 74.4 mm rainfall compared to the normal rains of 124.5 mm during the June 1 to June 25th, data from the India Meteorological Department Showed.

It’s forecast up to July 2 does not mention any prospect of the monsoon progressing further. Rainfall for June 25 was 75% below normal across the country, deteriorating from a shortfall of 61% in the previous day. Central India and north west India continued to see the maximum deficit in rains at 57% and 48%. Punjab, Delhi NCR, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Odisha and Gujarat have received scanty rains. The IMD in its evening bulletin for the next 24 hours said that heat wave conditions would prevail at isolated places over Vidarbha, Madhya Maharashtra and Marathawada.

No significant change in maximum temperatures likely over northwest and central India said the IMD. Temperatures over east India during next 48 hours would not change and would fall by 2-3°C thereafter it said. However, from June 28, places over north, south, east India and west and east coast could see a cooler weather with likelihood of rain and thundershowers, it said.