Punjab has been one of the worst rainfall deficit sub-divisions in India since the onset of Monsoon. The month of June was 51% deficit, July 59% deficit and August was the worst with a whopping deficit of 75%. As of today the rainfall deficit in the state stands at 64%.
Monsoon rain in Punjab has been so poor that 12 districts in the state are scanty (deficit of 60% and above), while 8 are deficit. There are few districts where the deficit is very large. Barnala is 90% deficit, Patiala and Mansa are 82% deficit, while the deficit in Sangrur stands at 83%.
However, districts like Gurdaspur, Mohali and Pathankot, which are closer to the foothills, are considerably better. The deficit in Gurdaspur and Hoshiyarpur stands at 25% today.
The state has received 147.8 mm of rain this season so far against the average of 414.4 mm, which means it is 64% deficit.
Forecast of good rain
Meanwhile, Skymet Meteorology Division in India forecasts good widespread rain in Punjab, with isolated heavy showers in western parts of the state in the next 3 days. This spell of rain will ease out to some extent the large deficit being witnessed since the beginning of the Monsoon season.
A monsoon system in west Rajasthan, which has a tendency to shift over Punjab and its border areas, will be the reason behind rain in Punjab.
