4% less rains from June 1 to September 7

New Delhi:The country-wide monsoon deficit stood at 4 per cent with northeastern and eastern states guaging 13 per cent less rains from June 1 to September 7.

Thirteen per cent of the country’s geographical area witnessed “deficient” precipitation, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) today said.

Kerala, parts of Gujarat, Haryana, Delhi, Punjab, north- eastern states of Assam, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Mizoram, Manipur and Tripura received less rainfall, it said.

The northeastern and eastern states gauged 13 per cent less rains, while the southern peninsula witnessed a deficiency of 11 per cent.

Northwest and central India got 2 and 3 per cent, respectively, more rains against the average.

From June 1 to September 7, the country received 733 mm of rainfall against the normal precipitation of 762 mm, a deficit of four per cent.

June witnessed a rain deficiency of 11 per cent, while July had 7 per cent of surplus rainfall. August again witnessed a dip of 9.7 per cent.

The weatherman had predicted more than average rainfall this season. It has predicted that September will be better in terms of rains.

PTI