The Democracy News :- India has seen a 20% decrease in rainfall since the beginning of the monsoon season on June 1, with no significant progress in the rain-bearing system from June 12 to 18, as per the India Meteorological Department (IMD). Conditions are now favorable for the monsoon to advance into parts of Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, Odisha, coastal Andhra Pradesh, northwest Bay of Bengal, Bihar, and Jharkhand over the next three to four days.
The IMD reported that between June 1 and 18, India received 64.5 mm of rainfall, which is 20% less than the long-term average of 80.6 mm. Northwest India saw 10.2 mm of rainfall (70% below normal), central India 50.5 mm (31% below normal), the south peninsula 106.6 mm (16% above normal), and east and northeast India 146.7 mm (15% below normal) since June 1.
The southwest monsoon began in the Nicobar Islands on May 19, then progressed to the south and parts of the central Bay of Bengal by May 26. It reached Kerala and the northeastern states on May 30, earlier than usual. By June 12, it covered Kerala, Karnataka, Goa, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, parts of Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, Odisha, West Bengal, Sikkim, and the northeastern states, but no further progress was made by June 18.
The IMD noted that 11 meteorological sub-divisions experienced normal to excess rainfall from June 1 to 18, while 25 had deficient to significantly deficient rainfall. The forecast suggests below-normal rainfall for India in June and the possibility of above-normal rainfall in the southern peninsula and parts of northeast India. Conversely, below-normal rainfall is expected in northwest and central India, as well as some parts of the northeast.
The IMD predicted above-normal rainfall for most of the core monsoon zone, crucial for rain-fed agriculture, with the country likely to receive 106% of the long period average (LPA) rainfall during the monsoon season. The monsoon is vital for India's agriculture, as over half of the cultivated area depends on it, and for replenishing reservoirs for water supply and power generation.
June and July are crucial months for agriculture due to Kharif crop sowing. El Nino conditions are currently present, potentially transitioning to La Nina by August-September. El Nino is linked to weaker monsoon winds and drier conditions in India, while La Nina typically brings abundant rainfall during the monsoon season.