Punjab had witnessed its worst drought in 1987
Punjab may be heading for its worst drought in almost three decades, fear authorities, after the state's meteorological department predicted a 60 per cent deficit in monsoon this year.
The department has based its prediction on the progress of monsoon between June 1 and June 25.
Punjab had witnessed its worst drought in 1987, when the state recorded 67 per cent deficit in monsoon.
"If you compare the rainfall in Punjab in the last three decades, the worst drought in Punjab was in 1987, when the monsoon deficit was around 67 percent. If the current trend persists, then we will have a similar scenario this year also," said Surender Paul, director of Chandigarh's meteorological department.
According to a report sent by the meteorological department to the Punjab government, 17 of the state's 22 districts will receive scanty rainfall this year.
The deficient monsoon will worsen the already serious groundwater situation in Punjab.
Of the 138 administrative blocks in the state, 110 are considered to be in the 'dark zone', warns the Central Groundwater Board, as water levels in these blocks are already going down at an alarming rate.