Monsoon 11% below normal: IMD

India received 11 per cent less rains than normal for the June 1-23 period even as south-west monsoon, which has been virtually stationary for the past week, showed signs of advancing northwards.

The weather office said that the country received 97.4 mm rainfall for the June 1-23 period as against the normal levels of 109.6 mm.

However, weather scientists have said that there was no need for alarm as there was still hope for improvement in rainfall across the country.

The southwest monsoon, which is nearly 10 days behind its normal schedule over north India, is expected to strengthen with the formation of a low-pressure area in the Bay of Bengal.

"Conditions are becoming favourable for further advance of southwest monsoon into parts of Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh and some parts of east Uttar Pradesh during next 3-4 days," the weather office said.
    
Since their onset on May 31, monsoon rains have made staggered progress and stopped in the tracks due to cyclone 'Phet', delaying their advance by at least 10 days to the breadbasket northern region, as well as central and northwestern parts of the country which mainly grow oilseeds.