India’s cumulative monsoon rainfall deficit has widened to nearly 14% despite better-than-expected rains across several parts of the country in August, with erratic rainfall hurting kharif crop sowing, The Times of India reported on Sunday.
The country’s rainfall deficit, measured from June 1, stood at 13% at the end of July but increased to nearly 14% by August 29, largely due to severe shortfalls in Bihar, Andhra Pradesh, Punjab and parts of the Northeast, according to the report.