Rajasthan is facing a rainfall deficit of over 66 per cent despite the early arrival of the southwest monsoon this year, according to a state government report.
The normal rainfall for Rajasthan till July 19 should be 135.80mm, according to Indian Meteorological Department estimates; but the state (up to July 19 this year) has recorded only 45mm rainfall, making for a deficit of 66.64 per cent.
Only the three districts of Dausa, Bundi and Rajsamand, out of total 33, have recorded normal rainfall (19 per cent to 19 per cent).
Six districts — Jhunjhunu, Sikar, Bharatpur, Baran, Churu, Jhalawar — are under the Deficit category (-20 per cent to -59 per cent) whereas the remaining 24 districts, including the state capital, are under the scanty category (-60 per cent or less), according to a report by the water resources department.
Meanwhile, rainfall occurred at many places in the Kota and Jaipur divisions and at a few places in Bharatpur and Udaipur divisions in the last 24 hours.
Isolated showers were also reported in the Ajmer and Bikaner divisions.
Jhalawar, Rawatbhata, Jaipur, Banswara and Kota recorded 46, 28.1, 19.8, 18 and 17mm rainfall, respectively, in 24 hours till Saturday morning.
The MeT department has issued a warning for heavy rainfall at isolated places in the eastern parts of the state in the coming 48 hours.