Hyderabad, Aug. 29 -- Telangana's monsoon rainfall deficit stood at 17 percent as of August 21, but the state has still fared better than several of India's major foodgrain-producing regions this season, according to a Times of India report citing SBI Research.

The state remains within the India Meteorological Department (IMD)'s "normal" rainfall band, which covers deficits of up to 19 percent. That leaves Telangana close to slipping into the "deficient" category, making rainfall over the remaining weeks of the monsoon critical for both water availability and the upcoming rabi season.

By comparison, neighbouring Andhra Pradesh has recorded a sharper 39 percent deficit, while Bihar's shortfall stands at 41 percent. Punjab has a 32 percen...