Punjab, Marathwada worst rainfall sub-divisions

It’s the middle of August, meaning we are halfway through the Monsoon season. But what’s worrying is that rainfall recovery has not been very encouraging. As of today the national cumulative deficit still stands at 18%, with 15 out of 36 sub-divisions being deficit (-20% to -59%). More alarming is the fact that two sub-divisions, Punjab and Marathwada are scanty (observing a deficit of 60% and above).

The scenario was even worse in June when 20 sub-divisions were deficit and 11 were scanty, raising some alarm. However, the situation improved in July with three sub-divisions observing excess rain. 17 sub-division were normal, while only 15 were deficit and scant was just one.

In fact till the 12^th of July the national cumulative deficit was still recording 43% however, some good rain in the third week of the month, particularly in Central and East India helped in narrowing down the deficit. The cumulative deficit for the month of July was 10%, a good decrease from the 43% observed in the month of June.

Let’s take a look at the two scanty sub-divisions.

Marathwada sub-division

During the month of June entire Maharashtra was scanty, with the Marathwada sub-division topping the list with a deficit of 79%. However, some good rain during the last two weeks of July improved the conditions. While, Vidarbha and Madhya Maharashtra turned normal, Marathwada continued to be deficit by 44%.

Thereafter the deficit has been increasing and is now standing at 60%. On the 3^rd and 4^th of August it was 61%. From 1^st June till date, the region has experienced a meagre 162.2 mm of rain against the average of 405.3 mm.

Punjab sub-division

Since the onset of Monsoon, Punjab has been observing higher rainfall deficits than the country. While the national cumulative deficit in June was 43% Punjab was witnessing 51% rainfall deficit. Till middle of July the deficit in the region had shot up to 65%, but some good rain during the last couple of weeks pulled down the deficit to 59%.

The scenario remained almost same between 5^th and 12^th August as the rainfall deficit was below 60%. It however rose to 60% on 14^th August. Meanwhile, the situation doesn’t look to improve in the coming days and may worsen further.