Monsoon deficit dipped to 22 percent, monsoon 90 percent of the normal in July 2014

Monsoon deficit for the month of July 2014 dipped to 22% according to the data released by the Indian Meteorological Department on 31 July 2014. The monsoon was 90.3% of normal in July 2014.

The deficit of 22% was a vast improvement over the 43% deficit at the beginning of July 2014. With the normal monsoon the threat of El Nino threat faded away.

The actual countrywide average rain during the July 2014 was 260.8mm. It was close to the prediction of 93% rains for July 2014 made by the India Meteorological Department in its updates forecast for the season.

The resurgence in the monsoon have brought good rains in western coast as well as central and eastern India. Central regions such as Madhya Maharashtra, Vidarbha, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Gujarat are particularly benefitted.

July 2014 is among the two wettest months of the year in India and rains during the period are crucial for sowing to take place for major kharif season crops.

The rally in rains began around 10 July 2014, with the activation of low pressure systems forming in the Bay of Bengal.

However, regions in the northwest like Punjab, Haryana and west Uttar Pradesh are yet to receive sustained spells of rains. The seasonal deficit in Punjab stands at 58%, while in Haryana it is 54%. Delhi too has seen just 50% of normal rains halfway into the monsoon season. These are regions where IMD has anyway predicted a bad monsoon, with northwest India projected to get a season's total of 85% rains.