rain monsoon
Delhi and Kolkata witnessed pre-monsoon showers while monsoon hit Karnataka on Saturday. [Representational Image]Reuters

Contrary to the official prediction of a 12 percent deficit in monsoon rain this season, the country has received rainfall 13 percent above the average till June 15 - though showers in the northwest region have been one percent below the average, official data has revealed.

According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the rainfall all over India between June 1 and 15 has been 69.6 mm, which is 13 percent more than the average rainfall of 61.4 mm.

Similarly, east and northeast India has received 184.8 mm of rain which is 22 percent over the average rainfall of 151.8 mm. Central India too has received 18 percent more than the average rainfall.

However, the northwest region has received 22.2 mm of rainfall – one percent below the average of 22.5 mm.

The IMD, in its official monsoon forecast had predicted that the northwest region, which includes Delhi, Haryana, western Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan and is considered to be the country's rice-bowl, would witness 15 percent deficit rainfall causing much concern over possible crop failure, drought, inflation and an overall adverse impact on the economy.

Private weather forecaster Skymet has said that the situation will improve next week.

"The northwest region has experienced heat wave conditions for the first ten days of the month and the rainfall few days back was a sign of things improving," Skymet Chief G.P. Sharma told IANS.

"In the next three days, there won't be any significant rainfall but around June 21-22, there will be a good spell of showers which will make for any deficiency in rainfall," he added.

Sharma further said that El Nino, which is believed to be weakening the monsoon, may get stronger in the days ahead but still won't pose any major threat.

"El Nino has already caused a drought last year and this year it is diminishing," he said.