Chandigarh: Haryana continues to experience a sluggish monsoon season, with the state recording 24 per cent below-normal rainfall between June 1 and July 16, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD). While northern districts have received above-average showers, southern and western parts of the state continue to face a significant rain deficit, raising concerns over drought-like conditions in several areas.
The IMD data shows Haryana received 98.1 mm of rainfall during the period against the normal average of 129.9 mm, leaving farmers and residents in many districts waiting for widespread monsoon activity.
Northern Haryana receives excess rain, southern districts remain dry
Among the districts, Yamunanagar recorded the highest rainfall at 202.8 mm, significantly above the seasonal average. Kurukshetra also received 161.1 mm, which is 22 per cent above normal.
On the other hand, Sirsa recorded only 27.5 mm of rainfall, making it the driest district with a 65 per cent deficit. Other districts in southern and western Haryana also witnessed below-normal rainfall, highlighting the uneven distribution of monsoon showers across the state.
The IMD has forecast light to moderate scattered rainfall across most parts of Haryana, with Ambala, Panchkula and Yamunanagar likely to receive light showers, while central and southern districts are expected to remain partly cloudy.
Rainfall deficit widens during the second week of July
The monsoon slowed further between July 9 and July 16, when Haryana received only 25.9 mm of rainfall against the normal 40.7 mm, registering a 36 per cent rainfall deficit during the week.
The highest rainfall during this period was recorded in:
- Yamunanagar: 118.1 mm (+76%)
- Kurukshetra: 91.6 mm (+123%)
- Panchkula: 73.1 mm (+8%)
- Karnal: 70.8 mm (+21%)
Meanwhile, rainfall remained extremely low in several districts:
- Rohtak: 0.5 mm (-99%)
- Panipat: 3.4 mm (-93%)
- Gurugram: 4.4 mm (-92%)
- Jind: 5.7 mm
- Sirsa: 5.7 mm
The extremely low rainfall in Rohtak and Panipat has created drought-like conditions, raising concerns for agriculture and groundwater availability.
Karnal records highest daytime temperature, Bhiwani coolest at night
Despite intermittent showers, daytime temperatures remained close to normal across Haryana. The state’s average maximum temperature increased by 1.7 degrees Celsius, with Karnal emerging as the hottest district at 35.2°C.
Other maximum temperatures included:
- Ambala: 34.8°C
- Rohtak: 34.2°C
- Chandigarh: 34.2°C
- Sonipat: 33.9°C
- Charkhi Dadri: 33.8°C
- Jind: 33.3°C
- Hisar: 33.1°C
- Sirsa: 30.2°C
Night temperatures also witnessed a marginal increase of 0.5°C. Bhiwani recorded the lowest minimum temperature at 23.0°C, followed by Narnaul at 23.5°C.
IMD expects scattered showers, but widespread rainfall still awaited
Weather officials have indicated that light to moderate rainfall is likely over parts of Haryana in the coming days. However, widespread heavy rainfall is still awaited in many southern and western districts, where the prolonged rain deficit continues to affect agricultural activities.
Experts say sustained monsoon activity over the next few weeks will be crucial for paddy transplantation, soil moisture levels and overall kharif crop growth across the state.