Monsoon revival fails to quench Punjab’s rain deficit

Punjab received 119.3 mm rainfall in July against the normal 161.4 mm, a deficit of 26%.

The first two months of southwest monsoon (June 1 to July 31) ended with a 34% shortfall, the worst among northern states.

IMD forecast below-normal rainfall during August and September, indicating no significant recovery in remaining monsoon months.

Rainfall distribution was uneven: Gurdaspur and Faridkot saw +54% excess, while Fatehgarh Sahib had a 71% deficit.

The deficit raises concerns for paddy farming, increasing groundwater reliance and electricity demand for tube wells.