Even as the southwest monsoon is playing hide and seek in north and northwest India where people are desperately waiting for revival of the monsoon, Bihar is the only State in the country which has received more than the annual rainfall it normally witnesses at this time of the year.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) said on Monday southwest monsoon is set to revive and spread to remaining parts of north India by July 10. Of the 694 districts across India, 223 in 19 states have reported deficient monsoon and 32 large deficient while 201 reported normal and 238 districts reported either excess or large excess rainfall. India, so far, received 207.6 mm rainfall between June 1 and July 5 despite the monsoon which is currently in its break phase since June 28.
According to IMD, Bihar has received 423.9 mm rainfall as against the normal of 220.5 mm between June 1 and July 5, an excess of 92 percent so far. The data shows that all 38 districts in Bihar have received either excess or large excess rainfall. Monsoon reached before time over Bihar and maintained active to vigorous conditions.
Bihar had a double whammy of monsoon fury with the mountainous state Nepal increasing gushing water through the rivers flowing across the state and foothills of Bihar raining incessantly getting flooded since the middle of June with little respite in between.
West Champaran, East Champaran, Sitamarhi, Madhubani, Madhepura, Supaul, Forbesganj, Darbhanga, Muzaffarpur, Araria,Bhagalpur, Punea, Kishanganj and Katihar are the worst hit. Floods have affected life and damaged property along with crops. The situation is not likely to improve much as the rains will continue for the next one week with short breaks in between.
According to the latest numerical weather prediction model guidance, the Southwest Monsoon is likely to revive gradually over the south peninsula, including west coast and adjoining east-central India from July 8.