Monsoon hits stride, 35% above normal last week

The Southwest Monsoon was 35 per cent above average during the week ended Wednesday, pushing overall rainfall numbers since the start of the season to one per cent above average.

The rainfall was subdued in June, before picking up pace this month, particularly so in the south and north-west. This has also begun filling the major reservoirs. As on Wednesday, these were around 18 per cent of their full capacity, up from 15 per cent till recently.

The monsoon was 16 per cent above normal from June 1 to July 7 in the north-west and 15 per cent above in the southern peninsula. The entire country has almost been covered now. This should hasten the planting of summer crops such as rice, soybeans, cotton and pulses.

Agriculture Minister Radha Mohan Singh said, after a sluggish start, sowing of kharif crops like paddy had picked up pace this week. Till last week, total sowing of kharif crops was down 23 per cent to 21.6 million hectares, because of inadequate rainfall in June.

Good rainfall has been predicted for July, August and September, the minister noted. The government is targeting a record foodgrain output of 270.1 million tonnes in 2016-17.

CARE Ratings said July is a critical month for the monsoon, the time when all crop decisions are taken. A shortage of rain can lead to switching between crops.

“July accounts for 30-35 per cent of total rainfall in the season and August for 20-25 per cent. As the monsoon is progressing positively, the impact should be felt on the cropping pattern, too,” it said.