76% of districts get 'normal to excess' rains, kharif sowing up

Pouring Relief

- SANDIP DAS

A surge in monsoon rains over the past ten days, after a 'deficient' spell in the first half of August, has pushed cumulative rainfall for the June-September season to 104% of the benchmark long period average (LPA) or upper limit of normal range.

According to India Meteorological Department (IMD), rainfall between June 1 and August 24 stood at 674 mm, which is 103.6% above the LPA or 'normal' range.

Region-wise, northwest India (15.4% above LPA), central India (9.5% above LPA), and the southern peninsula (5.7% above LPA) have received adequate precipitation, while the east and northeast remain in deficit at 16% below LPA.

During June-July, cumulative rainfall was 106% of LPA, classified as 'above normal'.