Good news for agriculture, India receives 7% above normal rainfall

Good news for agriculture, India receives 7% above normal rainfall

The plentiful and spread of southwest monsoon this year should help farmers and the output must be very good. It will also help Indian economy, though exact quantification cannot be made at this moment. We don’t have an assessment as to how it will impact the economy. The country as a whole has so far received 7 percent excess rainfall, addressing a virtual press conference, Dr. M Rajeevan, Secretary, Ministry of Earth Sciences said in today.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr. M. Mohapatra, Director General, India Meteorological Department (IMD) said, the country is likely to see normal to above normal rainfall in September, though in the second week of September, monsoon rain is likely to be deficient in most parts of the country, including northwest and central India. But, it is likely to resume after September 17. The usual date for monsoon to begin withdrawing is September 17.

Monsoon rainfall so far

Region wise spread of monsoon Actual Normal Difference
East & NE India  1191.9  1186.5  0%
North West India 469.7 520.2 -10%
Central India  987.8  847.8  17%
Southern Peninsula  716.1  595.9  20%
Overall in India 807.7 751.5 7%

Dr Mohapatra pointed out that the IMD in its weekly weather update mentioned that withdrawal of monsoon might begin from western parts of Rajasthan in the week ending September 18. But we are also expecting a low-pressure area to develop over west central Bay of Bengal around that time. He said, adding that while withdrawal of monsoon may begin, but we are still studying as to when it’s likely to completely withdraw. We are expecting normal to above normal rain in Kerala, Karnataka and coastal areas of Maharashtra around and after September 17, he said. In other words, though the rainfall activity has declined in September as compared to August and is now below normal, rains will revive in the next few days as fresh weather systems are developing, he said.

Dr. Mohapatra elaborated that variability of monsoon rain this season was higher this year, with excess rain in June, a deficit in July and again excessive rainfall in August. He said, active Madden–Julian Oscillation (MJO), the largest element of the intraseasonal (30- to 90-day) variability in the tropical atmosphere, and cold El Nino neutral conditions also favoured good rain in August.

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