However, the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) said that the monsoon is expected to pick up pace this week. After last year, when India faced a 14% deficit in monsoon rainfall in the June to September season, 11 states declared drought. As of Saturday, the country faced a rainfall deficit of 24% in the June to September monsoon season, with an 18% deficit in north-west India, 31% deficit in north-east and east India, and 42% deficit in central India. Photo: Hindustan TimesNew Delhi: After stalling for more than a week, the south-west monsoon has advanced towards central India, the government’s weather office said, entering central Maharashtra, the Marathwada region, south-east Uttar Pradesh and some parts of Vidarbha. “Rainfall is likely to increase over many parts of eastern, central and south Peninsular India from 21 June, with above-normal rainfall over central India and along west coast,” an IMD bulletin said.

Source: Mint June 19, 2016 14:15 UTC