LUCKNOW, Aug. 31 -- August left Uttar Pradesh with a rain-soaked map, but not all parts of the state received the same share of the monsoon. While some districts were battered by rainfall more than double their normal levels, others barely received a few showers. Overall, UP got 24% more rain than normal this month, with 291.3 mm against the long-period average (LPA) of 235.5 mm, according to India Meteorological Department (IMD) data.

The contrast is striking. Mahoba received nearly three times its normal rainfall, with 673.7 mm and a 199% surplus. Prayagraj recorded 601.6 mm, 160% above normal, while Banda and Chitrakoot received 646 mm and 632.9 mm, respectively, both more than 140% above normal.

At the other end of the rainfall map,...