September rains to be better but not enough to recoup seasonal deficiency, says IMD
The country received 24 per cent less than normal rainfall in August, a vast deviation from the IMD's predictions for the month, but latest forecasts say it is expected to be above normal in September
Drought possible in Gujarat and West Rajasthan, says private weather forecaster
After its vigorous revival in the first week of July that saw floods, cloudburst and landslides in several parts of the country, the Southwest Monsoon ended with a seven per cent deficit for the month
All eyes on rains in the weeks ahead till August-end to assess final impact
The variability manifested itself in a decline in monsoon rainfall over north central India starting in the 1950s, which persisted for as long as five decades before a reversal from 1999 onwards
According to the Central Water Commission, of the 91 major reservoirs in the country, 62 water bodies reported 80 per cent or below of normal storage
The official rainfall season starts from June 1 to September 30, but the overall monsoon deficiency until June 22 still remains around 39 per cent
The healthy irrigation cover in a few them - and for certain crops - has saved the blushes. On an overall basis, only the groundnut crop is under some pressure
There was a 27% rainfall deficiency in east and northeast India, followed by minus 3 and minus 1 in northwest and central India respectively
Rainfall that is nearly 1/5th lower than normal so far in August has raised deficit, concerns