One-third of India’s districts face rainfall deficit halfway through monsoon: Report
New Delhi: As the monsoon season reaches its halfway point, nearly a third of the country’s districts are grappling with significant rainfall deficits, raising concerns over potential disruptions in food production, reported The New Indian Express on Monday.
Despite an overall surplus in the first half of the monsoon, with the country receiving 474.3 mm of rainfall, which is 6.4% above the normal of 445.8 mm, rainfall has been unevenly distributed. Approximately one-third (around 31%) of districts have reported deficient rainfall, particularly in key agricultural states like Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, Assam, Bihar, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, and Andhra Pradesh.
The first half of the monsoon season has seen patchy and irregular precipitation, with several states on the Himalayan foothills, stretching from Uttarakhand to the Northeast, remaining largely dry. Eastern and northeastern states have seen a 23% rainfall deficit, while the southern peninsula has witnessed reduced monsoonal activity, the report added.
State-wise analysis reveals that Uttar Pradesh has been the hardest hit, with 34 districts reporting deficient to significantly deficient rainfall, followed by Bihar and Assam, each with 27 districts facing similar conditions. Tamil Nadu has 22 districts affected, while Andhra Pradesh has 15, and Telangana 12. The states of Punjab, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh are particularly crucial for food grain production, and any deficits here could have significant implications for the country’s agricultural output.
Currently, 24% of the country’s 728 districts have recorded a deficient rainfall (20-59% below the long-term average), with 7% of districts facing large deficits (60-99% below average). Although July saw above-normal rainfall, this year’s monsoon patterns indicate a consistent decline in rainfall levels, particularly in key agricultural zones.
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4 held for sexually assaulting woman, girl on moving bus after social media alert in UP's Agra
Agra (UP) (PTI): Four people were arrested, after a prompt response by police following a social media alert, for allegedly sexually assaulting a woman and a girl inside a moving bus here, officials said on Tuesday.
According to an official police statement, at 12:27 am on April 27, information was received on the social media platform X about an incident of sexual assault on a bus travelling from Kanpur to Ahmedabad, which was approaching Namner crossing in Agra.
Acting under the direction of Police Commissioner Deepak Kumar, the Agra Police social media team immediately alerted the Rakabganj police station within minutes and coordinated with the victims to confirm the incident and obtain the exact location, it stated.
Police teams launched intensive checking at Namner crossing and intercepted the bus as it reached the spot. The four accused involved in the incident were apprehended on the spot, and legal action was initiated against them, the statement said.
The police said the swift response and coordination between the social media team and field units ensured timely action, bringing relief to the victims and other passengers, who expressed gratitude towards the police, it added.
