As many as 18 people have lost their lives in rain-related incidents in parts of Uttar Pradesh where normal monsoon led to moderate to rather heavy rainfall at a few places in the past 24 hours.
Two persons were killed on Tuesday in North India due to heavy rains, which also disrupted normal life at many places in the region.
Airlines such as Vistara and SpiceJet warned their passengers on Twitter that due to the bad weather in Delhi, their flights might get affected.
Incessant rains over the past two days in eastern Rajasthan have led to a flood-like situation in the region and severed road connectivity to many areas.
106 people died on a single day on Thursday.
Tamil Nadu Chief Secretary said the flooding was caused by heavy rains in Chennai, Kanchipuram and Tiruvallur districts.
The monsoon rains have been 31 per cent below average up to July 2, Pawar told reporters in New Delhi.
The output of eight core sectors grew 8.9 per cent in June, mainly due to a low base effect and uptick in production of natural gas, steel, coal and electricity, official data showed on Friday. The eight infrastructure sectors of coal, crude oil, natural gas, refinery products, fertilisers, steel, cement and electricity had contracted by 12.4 per cent in June 2020 due to the lockdown restrictions imposed to control the spread of coronavirus infections. In May this year, these key sectors had recorded a growth of 16.3 per cent, while it was 60.9 per cent in April.
The sowing area under pulses went up by 7 per cent to 132.56 lakh hectare, against 124.15 lakh hectare area.
The weather department says there is again a lull, but rainfall activity may increase in the north-west India, including Delhi, around July 14, though only for a short period.
According to the meteorological analysis of the southwest monsoon between June one and August 24, the country, on the whole, had received one per cent less rainfall than the long period average. Of the 36 meteorological sub-divisions five, including Marathwada, continue to receive deficit monsoon rains.
Cabinet sub-committee to review the situation and take necessary steps.
The downpour, which has been lashing Bihar for the past few days, is because of the Hathiya Nakshatra," he said.
The India Meteorological Department forecast on Tuesday of normal rainfall this monsoon boosted prospects of farm output this season.
The untimely Mumbai monsoon threatens to play spoilsport as there is a fair chance of first day's play being affected by rain during the second Test between India and New Zealand, starting on Friday.
The national capital received heavy precipitation resulting in waterlogging on several roads and traffic jams at various intersections.
Retail tomato prices are ruling at Rs 80 per kg in most cities across India but the rates have shot up to as high as Rs 120 per kg in few southern states because of widespread rains, according to government data. In Chennai, retail price of tomato was at Rs 100 per kg, Puducherry Rs 90 per kg, Bengalure Rs 88 per kg and Hyderabad Rs 65 per kg. In Kerala, retail prices of tomato are ruling at Rs 120 per kg in Kottayam, Rs 110 per kg in Ernakulam, Rs 103 per kg in Tiruvananthapuram, Rs 100 per kg in Palakkad, Rs 97 per kg in Trissure, and Rs 90 per kg in Wayanad and Kozikode.
Official sources said Mangaluru city witnessed 'unforeseen' rainfall, flooding roads, damaging shops and houses.
'When you are travelling in Mumbai when the air quality is bad, you feel suffocated.' 'You may feel uncomfortable breathing Delhi air, but the level of discomfort is higher in Mumbai.'
The India Meteorological Department's first monsoon forecast for this year would have gladdened many a heart with the hope of plentiful rain, after two drought years.
Despite the city receiving good rainfall, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation is not taking any chances and will continue with water-cuts till September end, an official said. "Though we are in a better position than last year but to suffice water needs of the city till next monsoon we cannot lift the water cuts. Cuts will remain till September end," Deputy Municipal Commissioner Dinesh Gondalia told PTI in Mumbai.
Incessant rains continued to lash Mumbai city and neighbouring districts on Saturday, throwing normal life out of gear even as weathermen predicted heavy showers across the state for Sunday.
The state government will wait and watch till August 15 before declaring the affected areas, state Agriculture Minister Naren De said in Kolkata.
It is the highest rainfall of the season so far in 24 hours.
The situation in the state was 'extremely grave', said Vijayan, who spoke to Prime Minister, Narendra Modi and Home minister, Rajnath Singh, this morning seeking more central assistance for relief operations.
