Monsoon covers entire India, reaches remaining parts of Rajasthan, Haryana and Punjab

NEW DELHI: The southwest monsoon has advanced into the remaining parts of Rajasthan, Haryana and Punjab, covering the entire country, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said on Thursday.The IMD said the monsoon covered the entire country a day later than usual.

It normally reaches all parts of India by July 8.The monsoon arrived over Kerala on June 4 this year, marking the start of the southwest monsoon season (June-September). The normal onset date is June 1, news agency PTI reported.India has recorded surplus rainfall so far in July. Against the normal 73. 8mm rainfall during the first nine days of the month, the country received 101. 9mm.In its monthly forecast issued on June 30, the IMD had predicted widespread rainfall across the country during the first seven to 10 days of July.However, it had also forecast that July would be drier than usual, with rainfall likely to be 94%of the long-period average (LPA).India recorded a rainfall deficit of around 40% in June, with central India witnessing the highest shortfall of 50.4%. The country received 99. 5mm rainfall, the fifth-lowest June rainfall since 1901.According to IMD data, the overall rainfall deficit for the period between June 1 and July 9 currently stands at 14%.

The IMD has forecast that seasonal monsoon rainfall this year is likely to be 90% of the LPA, with a model error margin of 4%.The IMD said one of the main reasons for the rainfall deficit is the emergence of El Niño conditions over the equatorial Pacific Ocean, which generally suppresses monsoon rainfall over India.(With agency inputs)