This pre-monsoon season second driest in 65 years

The pre-monsoon season this year is the second driest in 65 years, with gross rainfall deficiency recorded at 25 per cent, said private forecaster Skymet.

The country witnessed 99 mm of rainfall in the three-month pre-monsoon season that ended on May 31, against the average of 131.5 mm, it said.

All the four regions of the country - Northwest India, Central India, East and Northeast India as well as South Peninsula -- have recorded deficit rains of 30 per cent, 18 per cent, 14 per cent and 47 per cent respectively.