UP sees 37% rain shortfall in first week of monsoon

LUCKNOW: The state has seen a rain deficit of 37% in the first week of monsoon, according to the data provided by the state meteorological department.

“Uttar Pradesh received 79% rainfall as against an estimated 126%, which has resulted in this deficit,” said state MeT director JP Gupta.

The deficit was more in east UP as compared to the western parts. “East UP recorded 39% less rainfall than expected while in west UP the deficit was 32%,” he said.

The deficit was recorded in the state despite the MeT department’s forecast of a normal monsoon this year.

According to the MeT data, Chandauli received the least rainfall than expected in the state (a rain deficit of 86 %).

As expected, Bundelkhand also received lesser rain. The rain deficit of Lalitpur district of Bundelkhand was recorded at 67% while that of Jhansi was 43%.

Lucknow received 38% less rainfall than expected while the PM’s constituency Varanasi recorded a deficit of 46%.

On the contrary, chief minister Yogi Adityanath’s district, Gorakhpur along with a handful of other districts received slightly more rainfall than expected.

However, the MeT officials issued a forecast of more rainfall in days to come, which will help cover the deficit.

“The state will receive above average rainfall in the days to come, which will reduce the deficit,” asserted state MeT director JP Gupta.

As per the fresh forecast issued by the MeT department, some parts of the state will receive heavy to very heavy rainfall in coming days before the monsoon proceeds towards north.

Districts located in northern parts of the state are expected to receive more rains than the plains.