Rohtak, Aug. 20 -- Widespread and above-normal rainfall in August has significantly improved Haryana's rainfall position for the ongoing kharif season, bringing the cumulative deficit down to 14% from around 35% last month, even as several districts, particularly in the northern and central parts of the state, continue to remain below normal.

According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD) rainfall data released for this kharif season started June 1, Haryana received 257.9mm of rain against the normal 299.9mm, leaving a cumulative deficit of 14%. The sharp improvement has come after a prolonged spell of below-normal rainfall during the first two months of the kharif season.

According to the IMD, August has so far brought substant...