Sluggish monsoon leaves north and east India dry

SINCE the arrival of the southwest monsoon on May 30, major parts of the country have recorded deficient rainfall in the past two weeks, weather department data shows.

-  JITENDRA CHOUBEY

North and east India continues to reel under heatwaves with temperature ranging between 44-48 °C. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) said severe heatwave conditions are likely to continue over many parts of north India during the next three days.

During June 1-15, except the southern peninsula, the rest of the country experienced monsoon rainfall deficit ranging from -40% to -90%. Kerala, country's monsoon gateway, has also been deficient in monsoon rain so far.

The Northeast is also facing severe deficient rain though the monsoon reached Kerala coast and the region at the same time after many years.