 "Rains pick up, deficit narrows")
India's southwest monsoon so far in July has been 26 per cent below normal. However, the deficit in rains does not seem to have much impact on sowing of kharif crops because there have been patches of good showers in between.
Monsoon deficit in the first 15 days of July was around 30 per cent, which has narrowed thanks to the improvement in showers.
According to India Meteorological Department (IMD) data, the shortfall in rains during the week ended July 8 was 50 per cent, while the deficit was 12 per cent for the July 16-22 week. Overall, in the 2015 southwest monsoon season (June 1 to July 22), the showers have been only seven below normal. This is well within limits as any shortfall below 10 per cent is considered manageable.
In the south, rains were 11 per cent below normal. In east and north-east India, it was three per cent below normal. The rains are expected to continue to be good in the remaining days of July and as well as in the first week of August. According to the met department, monsoon would be normal over north and central India and near-normal over east and northeast India next week.
Pune-based state-run Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology, too, said rains would remain normal to above normal over most parts of India till the first week of August, and will be vigorous over central and northern India.
In southern India, the monsoon is expected to be normal till August 4, IMD said. Agriculture minister Radha Mohan Singh recently said the government was hopeful of record production of pulses, oilseeds and coarse cereals in this year's kharif season thanks to higher acreage under these crops.
Monsoon deficit in the first 15 days of July was around 30 per cent, which has narrowed thanks to the improvement in showers.
According to India Meteorological Department (IMD) data, the shortfall in rains during the week ended July 8 was 50 per cent, while the deficit was 12 per cent for the July 16-22 week. Overall, in the 2015 southwest monsoon season (June 1 to July 22), the showers have been only seven below normal. This is well within limits as any shortfall below 10 per cent is considered manageable.
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In the July 16-22 week, rainfall in central India was 12 per cent below normal, while in north-west India, it was 20 per cent below normal.
In the south, rains were 11 per cent below normal. In east and north-east India, it was three per cent below normal. The rains are expected to continue to be good in the remaining days of July and as well as in the first week of August. According to the met department, monsoon would be normal over north and central India and near-normal over east and northeast India next week.
Pune-based state-run Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology, too, said rains would remain normal to above normal over most parts of India till the first week of August, and will be vigorous over central and northern India.
In southern India, the monsoon is expected to be normal till August 4, IMD said. Agriculture minister Radha Mohan Singh recently said the government was hopeful of record production of pulses, oilseeds and coarse cereals in this year's kharif season thanks to higher acreage under these crops.