Monsoon rains 50%
below average in second week
The country's crucial monsoon rains were 50 per cent below
average in the week to June 13, the weather office said on Thursday, a second
week of scant rain and confirmation the four-month season has got off to a slow
start.
But crops are not greatly affected by the quantity of rains in these initial stages, with distribution of rainfall in mid-July after the monsoon should cover the entire country more important for their growth.
But crops are not greatly affected by the quantity of rains in these initial stages, with distribution of rainfall in mid-July after the monsoon should cover the entire country more important for their growth.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast
average rainfall for the whole June to September season - the third year in a
row to avoid a drought.
The monsoon rains are important for farm output and economic
growth as about 55 per cent of the south Asian nation's arable land is
rain-fed, and the farm sector accounts for about 15 per cent of a nearly
$2-trillion economy, Asia's third-biggest.
The monsoon rains were 36 per cent below average in
the first week, reflecting a delay in the arrival of the seasonal rains over
south from the usual June 1 start date.
The monsoon rains are important for farm output and economic
growth as about 55 per cent of the south Asian nation's arable land is
rain-fed, and the farm sector accounts for about 15 per cent of a nearly
$2-trillion economy, Asia's third-biggest.
The monsoon rains were 36 per cent below average in
the first week, reflecting a delay in the arrival of the seasonal rains over
south from the usual June 1 start date.
Praful Rao
