June witnessed 16 per cent more than normal rainfall: IMD

NEW DELHI: The country received 16 per cent more rainfall than its normal limit in June, the India Meteorological Department today said.

However, since the end of last week, monsoon seems to have slowed down in several parts of the country that has recorded deficient rains.

The IMD said July and August will receive 8 and 10 per cent less rainfall respectively. It has also predicted a 'deficient' rainfall this year.

The east and northwest India, which initially recorded good amount of rainfall, has received just one per cent overall rains than its normal limits. The northeastern states of Nagaland, Meghalaya, Mizoram and Tripura have received 31 per cent deficient rainfall this month while Bihar has witnessed 27 per cent less rain than its normal limits.

Several parts of the southern peninsula have witnessed deficient rainfall which includes the Andaman and Nicobar Islands (-21 per cent), Tamil Nadu and Pondicherry (-18 per cent), Kerala (-13 per cent).

However, the Central (23 per cent) and Northwest India (31 per cent) have recorded a good rainfall.

The Southwest Monsoon made its entry on June 5, a delay of four days than its normal onset. It also covered entire India on June 26, as compared to its normal date of July 15.

Last year, June recorded 42 per cent deficient rainfall, creating fears among farmers and policy makers. However, the rainfall improved in July, August and September bringing down the season's deficiency by 12 per cent.