Pb recorded 98% deficient rain in Feb, HP 86%

Bathinda: Punjab, Haryana and Himachal Pradesh have recorded large deficient rainfall in the month of Feb. The three states recorded rain deficiency from 81 to 98% in the states in Feb. Punjab recorded the maximum deficient rain at 98% deficient as it received 0.6mm rain against normal of 27.1mm, followed by Himachal Pradesh recording 86% deficient rain as it received 14.7mm against normal of 101.8mm while Haryana recorded 81% deficient rain as it received 3.4mm rain against normal of 17.3mm in the month of Feb. The three states also recorded from 26 to 44% deficient rain in the two months of Jan and Feb. Himachal Pradesh recorded maximum 44% deficient rain these two months as it received 104.9mm against normal of 187.1mm. Haryana recorded 28% deficient rain as it received 23.0mm against normal of 31.8mm. Punjab recorded 26% deficient rain in the months of January and February as it received 34.9mm against normal of 47.4mm. Punjab received almost no rain in the month of Feb but normal to above normal rainfall is likely in the month of March except some parts of Northwest. Along with almost no rains, the mercury shot up in February which is unfavourable for the growth of wheat crop and it is expected that rising heat may impact the yield. The temperature departure has been recorded at 3-5°C above normal in both Punjab and Haryana in the last few days.As per India Meteorological Department (IMD) the above normal maximum and minimum temperatures are likely in Northwest in the hot weather season (March-May).