In a reversal of roles, the desert State of Rajasthan received more rain than the green States in the northeast.
As per the latest data available with the India Meteorological Department, Rajasthan received 20 per cent more rainfall than the normal, while Manipur is faced with a whopping deficit of 52 per cent and Meghalaya, 41 per cent.
Most noteworthy is the fact that within Rajasthan rainfall has been most bountiful in the western part, where the Thar desert is located. Western Rajasthan has recorded a rainfall of 71 per cent more than usual.
Rainfall in the Jaisalmer district tops the list, with a surplus of 178 per cent — 29.8 cm against the normal 10.7 cm. Barmer district comes next, with a surplus of 119 per cent (36.5 cm against 16.7cm).
It is followed by Bikaner district (plus 87 per cent; 26.4 cm against 14.1 cm), Jalore (plus 85 per cent; 54.2 cm against 29.3 cm), Sri Ganganagar (63 per cent; 23.6 against 14.4 cm), Jodhpur (plus 48 per cent; 30.5 cm against 20.6 cm), Churu (35 per cent; 30.6 cm against 22.6 cm), Nagaur (34 per cent; 34.7 cm against 25.9 cm), Pali (23 per cent; 36.9 cm against 30.1 cm) and Hanumangarh (4 per cent; 19.2 cm against 18.5 cm).
In the northeast, on the other hand, all States are facing deficiencies. While Manipur and Meghalaya top the list, Tripura suffered a deficit of 20 per cent rain, Arunachal Pradesh 17 per cent, Nagaland 16 per cent, Assam and Sikkim 11 per cent each, and Mizoram 10 per cent.
While the phenomenon of western disturbance has been prevailing almost right through the season so far, monsoonal activity over the Bay of Bengal has been subdued. Normally, several low pressure areas form around the head of the Bay and bring rainfall to Cherrapunjee and other parts of the northeast as also the Gangetic part of West Bengal, Bihar and Uttar Pradesh.
But not a single such system formed over that region this year. Some low pressure areas have formed over the Bay, but they have all been far away from the head of the Bay.
Consequently, apart from the northeast, the rainfall situation over Gangetic West Bengal, Bihar, Jharkhand, and Uttar Pradesh continues to remain grim.
Outside the northeast, the situation is the worst in Jharkhand. The State is facing a deficiency of 47 per cent. Only one district has recorded above normal rains, six still have deficiencies of over 60 per cent, and 17 others, deficiencies ranging from 20 per cent to 59 per cent.
Jharkhand is followed by Uttar Pradesh (36 per cent). Out of the State's 71 districts, only 12 have received normal or above normal rainfall. Of the remaining districts, 12 districts face a deficiency of over 60 per cent and 47 others, deficiencies ranging from 20 per cent to 59 per cent.
The Gangetic West Bengal is next with a deficiency of 31 per cent. Out of the 13 districts there, 10 are faced with deficiencies ranging from 20 per cent to 48 per cent.
Bihar is next, with a deficiency of 28 per cent.
Meanwhile, for the country in its entirety, the situation has improved considerably. It is now just three per cent below normal rainfall. The southern peninsular region has benefitted the most. It has received 12 per cent more rains than the normal.
