India Faces Below-Normal Monsoon Rains in July, Raising Kharif Sowing Concerns
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- India's July monsoon rains are predicted to be below normal, less than 94% of the long-period average.
- This forecast raises concerns for the crucial kharif sowing season, impacting crops like paddy and pulses.
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India is likely to receive below-normal rainfall in July, the wettest month of the southwest monsoon, with precipitation expected to be less than 94% of the long-period average (LPA), the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said on Tuesday.
The forecast raises concerns for the ongoing kharif sowing season as July typically accounts for the largest share of the four-month monsoon rainfall and is crucial for crops such as paddy, pulses and oilseeds.
The long-period average rainfall for July, based on data from 1971-2020, is 280.4 mm, Mrutyunjay Mohapatra, director general of IMD, said. Sowing of kharif crops across India declined to nearly 18.27 million hectares, or about 22.73% year-on-year till June 25, as rainfall deficiency touches 40%, according to government data, indicating delayed planting across several states.
Regionally, below-normal rainfall is likely over most parts of the country. However, parts of northwest and northeast India, east-central India and the eastern peninsular region are expected to receive normal to above-normal rainfall.