40% deficient monsoon in June, IMD hopeful of better rains in July

There has been a 40% deficiency in monsoon so far but the Indian Meteorological Department is hopeful that it would be strengthened after the first week of July.

There has been a 41% deficiency in the monsoon so far but the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) is hopeful that it will strengthen after the first week of July.

According to data on the IMD website, the normal rainfall from the period of June 1 to June 25 should have been 132.1 mm. As against this, there has been a rainfall of only 77.6 mm - deficient by 41%.

The weather office had already predicted an overall 7% deficiency in the monsoon for this year.

Northwest India -West Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan included - will have to wait some more for the monsoons to arrive, according to weather officials.

The normal date of arrival for monsoon in Delhi is June 29.

Officials are not giving any predictions for Delhi yet.

"There is no doubt that the monsoon progress is very weak and slow. I don't see any monsoon driver in the next few days," said GP Sharma, vice president, meteorology, Skymet, a private monsoon forecaster

The monsoon had lost steam in the last few days, adding to the economic anxieties of the country as it could affect farm yield driving up food prices further.