The monsoon in Jharkhand ended in a deficit on Wednesday, but residents are happy that the state fared better than last year.

Wednesday’s Met data showed Jharkhand’s rainfall to be 901.9mm against a normal of 1,054.7mm, a deficit of 14 per cent.

In 2019, the four-month rainy season had ended with an 18 per cent deficit while in 2018 the figure was 28 per cent.

In 2017, the monsoon had ended with a 10 per cent deficit. In 2016, the deficit was 2 per cent while in 2015 the deficit was 17 per cent. In 2014, the rain loss margin was 30 per cent.

Meteorologists consider rain deficit up to 19 per cent to be normal.

However, the monsoon is yet to bid adieu to Jharkhand. It is expected to exit around October 10, which is normal as well. But the calculation of rainfall during the monsoon is done from June to September.

This year, the southwest monsoon had an early arrival. It entered two days in advance on June 13.

The monsoon currents were strong, resulting in 2 per cent surplus rain in June.

Although July and August ended in a deficit, the margin was within 19 per cent.

The deputy director of IMD’s Ranchi meteorological centre, Abhishek Anand, said this year’s monsoon was up to the mark.

“Rainfall during the four monsoon months was uniform and widespread. This helped in avoiding a drought. Rainfall in regular intervals helped in irrigation and farming activities,” the deputy director said.

Met statistics showed that Ramgarh topped the gainers’ list with 15 per cent excess rainfall. The district notched rainfall of 1,183.2mm against a normal of 1,027.8mm.

The other districts with rain surplus included East Singhbhum, Dumka, Koderma, Latehar, Palamau and Sahibganj.

Gumla topped the list of districts with a rain deficit. Against a normal of 1122.1mm, Gumla recorded rainfall of 564mm at the end of the four-month monsoon.

The data revealed that capital Ranchi notched a 16 per cent deficit with rainfall of 906.7mm against a normal of 1,074.6mm.

Wednesday’s satellite pictures suggested that the withdrawal line of the monsoon was passing through Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan and northwest Madhya Pradesh.

The Ranchi meteorological centre issued an alert of heavy rainfall at a few isolated pockets, especially in northeastern and central Jharkhand, this weekend due to the formation of a low pressure area over the Bay of Bengal.