Is drought in north India inevitable?

There are chances that rain in the deficient north western parts of the country could pick up after the July 15 but it may be too little too late. Also reservoir levels all across the country are at very low levels.

In Northwest India the bread basket of India, the monsoon is not going to make up for lost time.

"In north west of India, the situation has further deteriorated by 2 per cent on the 24th of June shortfall was 46 per cent and on the July 8 it was 48 per cent," said DP Yadav, met department chief.

Is it too late already?

• After July 15, heavy rainfall expected in northwest
• Rainfall will not compensate for lost days

Scattered showers are expected over the north west after the July 15, even the north west may get heavy rainfall.

But it will be too late, heavy rainfall will not be able to compensate for lost days.

Water levels all over the country, in river, lakes and reservoirs are at alarmingly low levels.

• In Godavari, average water levels are at a 10-year low
• Sabarmati it's down by 66%
• In Ganga it's down by more than half
• The Narmada is down by 50%
• While the river Krishna is down by 53%

It's the same situation with reservoirs.

In Himachal Pradesh, West Bengal, Jharkhand, Rajasthan and Maharashtra reservoirs, more than half the water has dried up.

The big question now - is a drought in the grain bowl of India inevitable?