Water levels of the country’s main reservoir were 12 percent above normal on August 22, with rainfall above 3 percent of long-period average for three consecutive weeks, data released by the Central Water Commission and the India Meteorological Department (IMD) shows.

Though the 150 reservoirs had a 112 percent higher combined storage capacity than the decadal average, the northern states continue to see a shortfall of 30 percent.

Himachal, Punjab and Rajasthan, Bihar had a deficit of 26 percent, while Bengal was  12 percent below the 10-year average.

Punjab, Himachal and Bihar are also the states facing high rain deficits. As of August 22, Bihar had a rain deficit of 25 percent, Punjab 33 percent and Himachal 22 percent.

Four other states, too, have received below normal rains, with deficits higher than 20 percent.

On the other hand, Tamil Nadu has recorded 83 percent excess rainfall during this period.

Kharif sowing is just 2.1 percent higher at 103.2 million hectares from the previous year, according to data released by ministry of agriculture and famers welfare on August 20. Paddy sowing is up 5.6 percent at 36.9 million hectares and pulses 5.7 percent higher. Jute sowing is down 13 percent and cotton acreage is 9 percent lower than from the previous year.