20 Districts in State Face Rainfall Deficit in June

Contrary to popular perception that overall good rainfall was experienced in Maharashtra in June this year, at least 20 districts in the state are facing a large rainfall deficit this month.

- Gayatri Vajpeyee

PUNE: Most of these districts are from Marathwada and Vidarbha while three are from central Maharashtra. Among the at least 20 districts facing a large rainfall deficit in June this year, Washim has recorded the highest rainfall deficiency at 86% with the widespread deficit attributed to the absence of any low-pressure system movement towards the state, which usually plays a crucial role in triggering the rain.

Washim is followed by Akola (-77%), Nagpur (-74%), Hingoli (-73%), Bhandara (-70%), Gadchiroli (-68%), Beed (-67%), Jalna (-64%), Gondia (-62%), Solapur (-59%) and Parbhani (-58%). These figures place most of the affected districts in the 'large deficient' category with rainfall ranging between 60 and 99 per cent below-normal.