Monsoon deficient in northwestern India

NEW DELHI: Several parts of northwestern India including Punjab, Haryana and Delhi India have received deficient monsoon rainfall, the government said today.

In a written response to a question in the Lok Sabha, Minister of State for Earth Science Jitendra Singh said that Punjab has so far received deficient rainfall of minus 58 per cent followed by Haryana, Chandigarh and Delhi, all of which recorded minus 56 per cent.

Despite revival of monsoon across India since July, only moderate rainfall has been experienced in the national capital region causing the deficient rainfall.

"The rainfall for the country as a whole during June 1 to August 10 has been deficient by minus 18 per cent," Singh said.

Western Uttar Pradesh and the Marathwada region of Maharashtra are other parts that have received deficient showers recording minus 47 per cent and minus 59 per cent, respectively.

Singh added that in June, the rainfall across the country was deficient by 43 per cent of the Long Period Average.

"However, from July 13 onwards, vigorous monsoon activity has been experienced across the country resulting in the remarkable decrease in the accumalated deficiency from -43 per cent to -17 per cent on August 7," the Minister said.