The situation has now spilled over to the current year (2014). The beginning of the Monsoon season was very bad for Bihar with rainfall deficit recording 32%. July saw some recovery but the deficit was still large at 23% against the national cumulative deficit of 10% for the month.
The deficit has been rising by 1% every two days in August and had touched 29% on 11th August. However, it has reduced marginally to settle at 28% now.
Current Weather Situation
The Monsoon trough is shifting close to the foothills with an embedded low level cyclonic circulation over Bihar and east Uttar Pradesh. It is going to result in moderate to good showers, heavy in pockets for the next 72 hours.
While this spell of rain may narrow down the deficit in the state, the increase in rain over Nepal, foothills of Bihar and catchment areas can potentially cause flood-like situation in Bihar.
Agriculture Hit Hard
Deficit rain in June and July has already caused immense loss to farmers who are highly dependent on Monsoon rain for the sowing of Paddy crop. Lack of rain at the time of sowing will affect the quality of crop. Looking at the situation many farmers decided against sowing and left their lands barren so that they do not incur any loss. In fact the total sown area is also likely to fall.
And now with some good rain in the offing, the farmers are again on the receiving end. This is the time when there is not much need of rain and any waterlogging in the fields will destroy or hamper the crops. And with flood-like situation looming large the scenario does not look any better for the farmers of Bihar.