Jaipur, Oct. 8 -- Rajasthan recorded 17.40% less rainfall than normal during this year's monsoon, with 14 districts receiving deficient rainfall and 215 dams remaining empty, raising concerns over drinking water, irrigation and fodder availability after the season's withdrawal. According to the Water Resources Department's (WRD) report, the state received 350.83 mm of rainfall from June 1 to September 30 against a normal of 424.71 mm, a shortfall of 73.88 mm. Rainfall was 329.30 mm, or 48.42%, lower than the 680.13 mm recorded during the corresponding period last year in the department's figures. Of the 41 districts assessed by WRD, 24 recorded normal rainfall, 14 deficient rainfall and only three excess rainfall. Last year, on the same district basis, 23 recorded a surplus of at least 60%, 17 received excess rainfall and one recorded normal rainfall, with none deficient. The department classified the state's overall rainfall as normal because the 17.40% shortfall fell within its normal range of 19% below to 19% above the average. However, western and southern districts recorded substantial shortages. Pali recorded the sharpest deficit at 58.67%, receiving 202.65 mm against a normal of 490.35 mm. Jaisalmer received 77 mm against 168.26 mm, a deficit of 54.24%, while Jalore recorded 207.50 mm against 421.08 mm, falling short by 50.72%. The other deficient districts were Banswara, Hanumangarh, Udaipur, Sirohi, Rajsamand, Balotra, Bhilwara, Jodhpur, Sriganganagar, Dungarpur and Kotputli-Behror. Their shortfalls ranged from 20.64% to 39.49%. Barmer was in normal rainfall category, receiving 238.55 mm against a normal of 260.32 mm, a deficit of 8.36%. Jaipur also fell within the normal category, although its rainfall of 422.74 mm was 17.42% below average. Only Dholpur, Deeg and Salumbar received excess rainfall, with surpluses of 27.90%, 27.59% and 24.88%, respectively. The weak rainfall contrasted with the India Meteorological Department's assessment of the 2025 monsoon, when Rajasthan received 715.2 mm against its long-period average of 435.6 mm, a surplus of about 64%. On the 33-district basis used in that assessment, 20 districts received large excess rainfall, 12 excess rainfall and one normal rainfall. Meanwhile, WRD's report shows that the 693 monitored dams held 61.90% of their combined capacity, against 90.69% on the same date in 2025. Storage was about 31.75% lower year-on-year. Of these reservoirs, 99 were completely filled, 379 partially filled and 215 empty. According to officials, the state government is preparing a comprehensive action plan to address drinking water, fodder and employment shortages in approximately 16,400 villages. Chief secretary V Srinivas said, "The state-level action plan would assess available water and additional requirements. A separate plan would be prepared for districts connected to the Indira Gandhi Canal Project, while monitoring of water distribution would be intensified to ensure adequate supplies for people and livestock."...