The country stands deficient in rains this monsoon season by 12 per cent as per the latest figures, a senior meteorological department official said in Delhi on Thursday.

According to the data available till July 21, the rainfall is deficient by 12 per cent. Out of 36 subdivisions, 17 are deficient and 19 have excess or normal rainfall, Director of Indian Meteorological Department S C Bhan told PTI.

North West India is deficient by 20 per cent, Vidarbha by 37 per cent and Telangana by 39 per cent, he said. Rayalseema, he added, has gained to be in the normal rainfall category.

July rainfall may not also meet the expected figure of 98 per cent and temperatures in the North West were two-three degrees above normal, Bhan said.

In the next three-four days, the northern region was likely to get scattered rainfall. However, a cyclonic circulation over the east Bay of Bengal and shifting of monsoon trough towards south might enhance rainfall in eastern part of the country, he said.