Patna: An active monsoon has helped Bihar overcome rainfall deficiency in the first six days of the current month.

The state was staring at a huge deficiency on this front till June end when the rainfall deficiency had touched 40 per cent. Things, however, improved in July in a big way.

According to the Indian meteorological department (IMD) date, Bihar had received 189.3mm of rainfall from June 1 to July 6, against the normal of 230 mm of rainfall, brining the deficiency level down to just 18 per cent.

A departure of 19 per cent from the normal rainfall is considered to be normal, hence Bihar now stands in the list of those states which have received normal monsoon rains so far this year.

The good news is that the state is likely to receive good rain in the remaining part of the month. "Rainfall may be a bit less in the coming 2-3 days but from July 9 onwards the state will receive good rainfall," Patna Met office scientist Anand Shankar told The Telegraph on Friday.

He said the state was expected to receive above normal rainfall in the third week of July. The Met scientist attributed his forecast to favourable prevailing conditions which are likely to keep the monsoon active over the state.

One of the favourable factors is related to the monsoon trough line which is crossing from the state.

On Friday it was passing through Nawada in south Bihar. One more factor is a cyclonic circulation extending up to 2.1km over eastern region of Bihar and adjoining areas.

The active monsoon has also led to increased agricultural activities at the beginning of the Kharif season.

Till June 20, farmers had prepared paddy nursery in just 99,054 hectares against the target of 3,40,000 hectares i.e. 29.13 per cent. This figure has now jumped to 77.49 per cent.

According to official figures, paddy nursery had been prepared in 2,63,479 hectares till July 5. Some of the districts like Rohtas, Sheohar and Purnea have already achieved their target in terms of area.

"Going by the trend, we are hoping that the target of having paddy nursery in 3,40,000 hectares will be achieved in the coming week," an official in the agriculture department said.