Pan India rainfall remained sub par this winter season, successively in all months. North India got a harsh beating than South. However, eastern parts of the country across Bihar, Jharkhand and West Bengal have remained completely dry this winter season. And, the irony is that there is no likelihood of winter showers, anytime in the near future.
Eastern states have been experiencing driest season of recent times with most parts literally struggling for solitary winter shower. Absence of rains have resulted pre mature heating of the region. Day temperatures are above the average across the region. Patna, Gaya, Daltonganj, Jamshedpur, Ranchi, Bokaro, Bankura, Midnapore, Purulia, Kolkata, to name a few, are witnessing mercury levels 3-5 degree above the normal.
Month of February has been dry so far for all the three states. Western disturbances have been skipping the Indo Gangetic plains, in toto. Bay of Bengal has not been pumping any moist winds, as the anticyclone is not getting favourably placed over the region. There are no chances of a wet spell over these states in the next 2-3 weeks. Even the contiguous states of Chhattisgarh and Odisha will meet the same challenge. Farming community has to live with these conditions inordinately and look for alternate resources.