The south-west monsoon has been active over Uttarakhand and eastern Madhya Pradesh and the country as a whole has received 18% more rainfall than normal till now, IMD said.

With the exception of eastern Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, all other regions of the country have received normal or excess rainfall so far.

“The south-west monsoon has been vigorous over eastern Uttar Pradesh and active over Uttarakhand, eastern Madhya Pradesh and Arunachal Pradesh during past 24 hours,” the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said on Monday in its latest bulletin.

Besides, the plains of north India, including Delhi and western Uttar Pradesh, recorded scattered rain activity accompanied with thundershowers, IMD stated.

According to IMD, the country as a whole has received 18% more rainfall than the normal till now, which would further help in kharif sowing activities in the next few weeks.

The quantum of monsoon rainfall across the country during June 1-29 has been 182.5 millimetres which is above the normal by 18% from the benchmark of 155 mm arrived on the basis of a 50-year average shower.

On the region-wise distribution of rainfall, the central India has received maximum amount of rain and is surplus by a 28% of benchmark while the south peninsular has experienced 22% more rainfall than normal so far. The north-west regions have received 24% more rains than normal. The east and northeast regions have received 3% more shower than the normal.

“Only 10% of the areas across the country have received deficient monsoon rainfall this month,” an IMD official said. However, the official said the distribution of rainfall in the next two months would be crucial for kharif crops and ensuring adequate water in reservoirs.

Meanwhile, private weather forecaster Skymet in a statement said “while most parts of north and east India have been witnessing good monsoon rains and thundershowers on account of several weather systems over both the regions”.