Number of scanty sub-divisions increase to three

Monsoon started on a very poor note in June with the country facing a rainfall deficit of 43%. About 20 sub-divisions were deficit and 11 scanty during the month. However, the situation improved in July with three sub-divisions observing excess rain. 17 sub-divisions were normal, while only 15 were deficit and scanty was just one. From 1^st June to 20^th August there are three sub-divisions – Punjab, Haryana and Marathwada- that are scanty.  And the situation does not look to improve in these pockets in the coming days, except in Marathwada where some rain is expected. Classification of rain Excess rain: +20% Normal rain: ± 19% Deficit rain: -20% to -59% Scanty rain: -60% to -99% Monsoon season is very important for India as 70% of the annual rain is received during this period. However, it is never possible that rain will be evenly distributed. Best of the Monsoon season will also have some pockets with scanty rain. Below is a table showing how the scanty sub-divisions and the country as a whole have fared throughout the Monsoon months of June, July and August

Name of the State		June		July		Till 20th August
		Deficit	Country deficit	Deficit	Country Deficit	Deficit	Country Deficit
Punjab		51%	43%	59%	10%	67%	6%
Haryana		44%	43%	56%	10%	75%	6%
Marathwada		79%	43%	44%	10%	75%	6%

Here we take a look at the rainfall figures for the months

Name of the State		June		July		Till 20th August
		Rainfall	Avg Rainfall	Rainfall	Avg Rainfall	Rainfall	Avg Rainfall
Punjab		21.7 mm	44.4 mm	76.3 mm	186 mm	40 mm	122 mm
Haryana		25.9 mm	45.9 mm	72.2 mm	165.8 mm	28.8 mm	114.1 mm
Marathwada		30.4 mm	143.3 mm	105 mm	187.2 mm	29.2 mm	109.2 mm

The above tables clearly show how the rainfall pattern has been in these sub-divisions. June has been the worst in terms of rain, while July has seen some recovery.