Punjab registers 72% rain deficit in pre-monsoon period this year

Pre-monsoon showers are also particularly vital for crops such as spring maize, moong, and sunflower, which precede paddy cultivation and spring maize rely heavily on adequate irrigation.

According to the Indian Meteorological Department, Punjab should have received 31.9 mm of rainfall from June 1 to June 22, but has only received 8.8 mm rainfall in this time.

Similarly, Haryana received 7.6 mm against the normal of 32.7 mm, and Chandigarh received a meager 7.9 mm compared to the usual 97.1 mm in the same period.

Fazilka in Punjab stands as the sole district with surplus rainfall, receiving 25.8 mm compared to the normal 19.1 mm, marking a 35.5% excess.

In Punjab, Fatehgarh Sahib and Firozepur received 96% and 94% less rainfall, respectively, this year. Apart from this Mohali, Nawanshahr, Kapurthala, Jalandhar, Hoshiarpur, Gurdaspur, Faridkot, Ludhiana have also registered 80% to 89% rain deficit.

Last year, Punjab had experienced a contrasting scenario during the same period, with a surplus of 37% rainfall compared to the normal 31.9 mm against actual 43.6 mm. About 14 of the total 23 districts had reported surplus rainfall in the pre-monsoon period.

In Haryana, Jhajjar and Fatehabad districts received 100% deficit rainfall; Faridabad, and Charkhi Dadri received 99% and 98% less rain, respectively. Apart from this Panchkula, Palwal, Rewari, Jind, Bhiwani also received more than 90% less rain. Sirsa is the only district in state which has received the lowest (only 6%) less rain from June 1 to June 22.

Last year in the same period, Haryana had witnessed just 27% deficit, rain and Chandigarh 59% deficit during the same period last year.

In Haryana, 10 district of the total 22 received surplus rainfall last year.

Punjab’s average annual rainfall is about 650 mm, with 450 mm to 480 mm falling during the rainy season which is from June to September.

According to weather forecast, isolated places in Punjab and Haryana are likely to experience another spell of heatwave on Monday and Tuesday.