A plentiful monsoon: Facts and figures while India waits

Sourjya Bhowmick | Updated on: 17 June 2016, 19:36 IST

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Monsoon has been delayed by seven days this year according to the Met department

Five regions of India have not received any rainfall this year so far

India longs for monsoon with bated breath after two months of intense heat - the merciless summer. The pitter-patter of raindrops fills our heart with joy, opens our emotions up to a longing for more rain-filled days.

But it is still a matter of a few days when we will be able to enjoy the rain in our drawing rooms. However, living in comfort - we can afford to wait.

But more than us, our poor brethren in the heartland of India need the monsoon to arrive more desperately.

Also read: Monsoon to be delayed by seven days: MET department

These are farmers who are on the brink of taking their own lives or migrating away from their precious land as they desperately wait for rain and relief.

The good news however is - it has been predicted that 2016 will see a normal/above normal monsoon.

And as we wait, here are some facts about monsoons:

5

Number of regions which have experienced zero rainfall as of today (17 June).
These are: Haryana, Delhi, Punjab, West and East Rajasthan, entire of Gujarat including Saurashtra region.
Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Bengal, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Madhya Pradesh, Vidarbha, Chhattisgarh are some of the regions where monsoon is still not widespread.

580

Total number of districts that are vulnerable to drought and irregular monsoon in the country.
Additionally, it is projected that due to climate change some parts of India's southern peninsula, there may decrease in monsoon rainfall.

Also read: Monsoon hits Kerala: Witness the joy of the first rain in these photos

75.5

million hectare

Agricultural area in India that is only fed by rains.
A deficient monsoon thus hampers food production, damages prospect of rural income, leading to food inflation and low rural savings.

22

%

Share of rainfall deficiency due to slow of progress of monsoon for the first 15 days of June.
Only the southern regions of India that has experienced 27% excess rainfall.
In 2015, monsoon ended with a 14% deficit. Unfortunately, 2014 was also a year of monsoon deficit.

Also read: IMD predicts 96% chance that the year's monsoon will be 'normal to excess'

First published: 17 June 2016, 19:36 IST