India receives 30% deficient rainfall

New Delhi: In August, the monsoon has fallen significantly short of the long-term average, registering a deficit of 30 per cent, Motilal Oswal Financial Services said in a report. The southern regions of India, in particular, have experienced notably dry conditions.

After starting the month on a positive note with a 5 per cent surplus due to a wet July, the monsoon took a downturn in August, with an overall deficit of 7 per cent as of August 20, the report said.

While the northwest (6 per cent above normal) has received above normal rainfall, Central India (2 per cent below normal), South Peninsula (13 per cent below normal) and eastern and northeastern regions have witnessed deficient rainfall patterns (20 per cent below normal).

El Nino has strengthened from a “weak” to a “moderate state and the latest update from the US weather agencies said there was a 66 per cent of it developing into a strong event later this year.

Kharif sowing as of August 18 stood at 0.1 per cent higher than last year.

The area under paddy cultivation is now 4.3 per cent higher than last year. However, the area under pulses is still 9.2 per cent lower than last year.