IMD: monsoon shortfall at 64% for latest week

India’s monsoon was 64% below normal in the week ended August 5, according to the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD). Rains were 25% below the 50-year average of 503.4 millimeters between June 1 and August 5, the agency said. Last week's rainfall was the worst since mid-June. The weather department said that only seven of India's 36 weather zones received normal rains during the past week. Weekly rainfall was scanty in 23 areas, deficient in 4 zones, while only 2 regions received excess rains. The soybean-producing central part of India got a negligible 1% of the normal rainfall, putting the crop at risk if the dry patch continues another week. Rainfall in cane-growing Uttar Pradesh was about 80% below normal, while Maharashtra, a major producer of sugar and cotton, saw about 90% shortfall in the week ended Aug. 5, the weather office said.

"Subdued rainfall activity is likely to continue over western, central and peninsular parts of the country during next 2-3 days," the IMD said on its web site on Friday. Fairly widespread to widespread rainfall activity with isolated heavy to very heavy falls is likely along the foot hills of Himalayas, northeastern states, West Bengal, Sikkim and Bihar during next 2-3 days, it added. Fairly widespread rainfall activi