New Delhi: India's monsoon this year was the worst since 1972 with 24 per cent less rainfall than average, according to official data released on Thursday.
"Comparing the seasonal rainfall during 2009 with that in previous years, it is the most deficient year after 1972," the Earth Sciences Ministry said.
"The cumulative seasonal rainfall for the country as a whole is now 23 per cent below the Long Period Average (LPA). During 1972, the seasonal rainfall was 24 per cent below the LPA for the country as a whole," it added.
The Ministry said that rainfall is 'much less' in 59 per cent of the over 600 districts in the country. It means there was less rain than average in around 360 districts.
"Considering district-wise rainfall during the period June 1 to September 30, the rainfall was excess in nine per cent, normal in 32 per cent, deficient in 51 per cent districts and scanty in eight per cent of total districts of the country," it added.
Dividing the country into four broad zones, the statistics showed that the northwest region has suffered the most with a 36 per cent deficit in rainfall this year. Areas like western Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan fall under this worst affected zone. The zone received around 690 mm of rains as against an average of over 892 mm of rains.
With 1,037.7 mm of rains, the northeast region is facing a 27 per cent deficit, followed by central India that received around 795 mm of rains leading to a shortfall of 20 per cent. The southern peninsula was the better off with just four per cent of shortage.
The Ministry, of which the India Meteorological Department (IMD) is part, said that monsoon has withdrawn from many parts of India and will gradually shift out of the country completely over the next few days.
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