The cumulative monsoon shortfall across India as on August 21 was around 7 per cent, which at the start of August was The cumulative monsoon shortfall across India as on August 21 was around 7 per cent, which was a surplus by 5 per cent at the beginning of August. The long dry spell in August across nearly all regions of the country, except for the foothills of the Himalayas and northeastern states, has resulted in a rainfall deficit of around 36 per cent compared to the normal levels for August alone. This is one of the worst deficits in