Nearly half of India is rain-deficient!

Close to half the country is experiencing deficient rains and the shortage for the figure has gone up to 16 per cent.

As of today, 44 per cent of the country has received "deficient" rainfall and 50 per cent has witnessed "normal," Indian Meteorological Department said, adding that only six per cent of the country has recorded "excess" rainfall.

The deficiency is particularly increasing in eastern and western Uttar Pradesh where it stands at around 42 and 44 per cent respectively. Delhi, Haryana, Chandigarh have recorded deficiency of 40 per cent and Punjab 41 per cent, according to IMD.

Fresh spell of rains last week in parts of central India and southern peninsual has brought down the deficiency in several parts, it says.

The deficiency in North Interior Karnataka has gone down to 25 per cent and 22 per cent in Telangana. Similar is the case with Maratwhada (-44 per cent), central Maharahtra (-38 per cent) and Konkan and Goa (-34 per cent).

According to Skymet, a private weather forecasting agency, the Southwest Monsoon that has withdrawn from West Rajasthan, parts of Punjab and West Haryana, is likely to stay put in India and witness a delay in its withdrawal from rest of Northwest India.

"Defying its usual withdrawal date of September 15, the monsoon in India is likely to take another week to begin its withdrawal from Delhi-NCR, Punjab and other parts of Northwest India. The withdrawal of the Southwest Monsoon, would be further delayed by at least five more days," Skymet said.