LUCKNOW, Sept. 13 -- Starting September, heavy showers drenched several parts of Uttar Pradesh, however, contradicting the forecast of above normal rainfall in the state, the spell almost completely stopped between September 5-11, leaving behind dry skies and pushing the state into a stark 64% rainfall deficit.

There were clear indications earlier that the state had a strong likelihood of receiving above-normal rainfall this month.

A closer look at Uttar Pradesh's rainfall during this period indicates that the state as a whole recorded just 16.2 mm of rainfall, far below the normal 45.5 mm. In eastern UP, the shortfall was even more severe, with the region receiving only 14.9 mm against an average of 49.2 mm-a deficit of 70%.

Similarly...