 "Monsoon")
The southwest monsoon ended the first half of its four-month journey over India with a deficiency of around 21 per cent, a huge improvement over the 43 per cent shortfall at the end of June.
According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the rains managed to recoup much of the June losses due to strong revival over the central and western regions, and parts of northern India.
The southwest monsoon enters India in June and starts retracting from September.
Weather officials said the momentum of July would continue till about August 10 and then slacken a bit. “Good showers will continue along the west coast during the next 10 days. The central, south and western parts of the country will witness reduced rain activity from August 8.” private weather forecaster Skymet said.
August’s rains are important for healthy progress of kharif crops, mainly oilseeds and pulses. Any break for a long period might resurrect drought fears, as the overall shortfall is still within a danger zone.
“Planting for most of the summer crops have already been delayed due to the poor start of the rain season,” Reuters news agency reported, quoting Agriculture Commissioner J S Sandhu.
Data from the Department of Agriculture showed as of Friday, kharif crops had been planted on 70.62 million hectares, almost 14 per cent less than at the same time last year. It is, though, a big improvement over the almost 50 per cent less sowing as of end-June. On an average, kharif crops are planted on 105.42 million hectares.
The good rains in July have also helped fill reservoirs. As of Friday, water levels in 85 major reservoirs across the country were 70.92 billion cubic metres, 46 per cent of their capacity. At one time, the levels had dipped to 24 per cent.
“All these good developments can overturn in a matter of days if the rains take a long break in August,” another official said.
