MC Daily Monsoon Tracker: Rainfall surplus narrows to its lowest in 28 days

Nine states witness rainfall deficit

India’s rainfall surplus dropped further to its lowest level in nearly a month of 5.49 percent on September 22 from with 5.89 percent the previous day, data released by the India Meteorological Department (IMD) shows, as monsoon begins to recede from some parts of the country.

The number of rainfall deficient states, or those with 20 percent below normal rainfall, also went up to nine from seven in the previous week. Assam and Himachal Pradesh were the new additions to the list, with 25 percent and 20 percent shortfall, respectively.

Nagaland has a deficit of 31 percent, Manipur 32 percent Arunachal Pradesh 29 percent and Bihar has got 28 percent less rain than is normal for the season.

Among From the four northwestern states and union territories, Punjab had the highest deficit of 27 percent followed by Jammu and Kashmir and Chandigarh.

Twelve states country to experience excess rainfall.

The reservoir levels of the country's reservoirs remained unchanged at 18 percent on September 19.  In the north, reservoir levels continue to dip even as situation in the east improves.

According to the agriculture ministry's previous week's data, Kharif sowing increased to 109.7 million hectares as of September 17, 0.1 percent above the five-year average and 2.2 percent more than the previous year.

Paddy sowing was 2.1 percent higher but pulses was 6.1 percent lower. Oilseeds and coarse cereals acreage was also above normal, which bodes well for inflation control.

Among cash crops, sowing of jute and cotton is down over 10 percent from the five-year average.