LAHORE: Monsoon this year was prolonged and gave moderately above normal (over 25pc) rainfall from July to September.

According to the Pakistan Meteorological Department, rainfall in September was close to its normal value. In August, it was largely in excess across much of the country.

In July, the country experienced slightly deficient rainfall.

In September, rainfall over the country was close to normal (over 7pc). On the regional scale, monthly rainfall was above normal in Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and GilgitBaltistan; it was close to normal over Balochistan and below normal over Sindh and Azad Jammu andKashmir (AJK).

During August, rainfall over the country as a whole was largely above normal (over 76pc). On the regional scale, the amount of rainfall was generally in excess across much of the country except Balochistan and AJK where it was close to normal and below normal, respectively.

During July, rainfall over the country was slightly below normal (-14pc). On the regional scale, the amount of rainfall had shown an amazing pattern with above normal over Punjab and KP and close to normal over GilgitBaltistan whereas slightly below normal over AJK but largely deficient over Balochistan and Sindh.

Coastal areas of Balochistan and eastern parts of Sindh received no or very little rainfall in the entire month.