Crisil's Drip index: Rains deficient in 5 states, rice shows some recovery

The healthy irrigation cover in a few them - and for certain crops - has saved the blushes. On an overall basis, only the groundnut crop is under some pressure

Rainfall deficiency at the all-India level stood at 8 per cent below the long-period average (LPA) in the week ended September 12, as the monsoon begins its slow withdrawal.

On an overall basis, six key kharif growing states — Andhra Pradesh, Punjab, West Bengal, Bihar, Haryana and Gujarat — have rainfall deficiency on a cumulative basis. But healthy irrigation cover in a few them — and for certain crops — has saved the blushes. On an overall basis, only the groundnut crop is under some pressure.

Irrigation is a crucial determinant to assess impact of rainfall on states and crops. By itself,