Late arrival of southwest monsoon rains in India may delay sowing of crops

Timely arrival of the monsoon is critical for India's crop output and economic growth.

Sowing of major crops such as rice, corn and soybeans may be delayed in India as the southwest monsoon, which waters more than half of the country’s farmland, is set to reach the mainland two days later than usual.
 

The monsoon will likely arrive the southern state of Kerala on Thursday, according to a statement posted by the India Meteorological Department on its website. The national weather forecaster had earlier predicted an onset date of May 31 for the June-September rainy season, which typically starts on June 1.

Timely arrival of the monsoon is critical for India’s crop