There is strong possibility of monsoon’s arrival on July 13 or 14. This spell of monsoon will continue till July 17 or 18 and see ups and downs till September. This was informed by Director Meteorology Centre Anupam Kashyapi at a meeting chaired by Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan here on Thursday.
The Chief Minister had convened this meeting at Vidhan Sabha to consider situation arising of dry spell and chalking out a strategy accordingly. Kashyapi was
specially invited to the meeting to give presentation on monsoon situation.
Kashyapi informed that monsoon has not reached 17 per cent areas this year. Much less rains have been registered in the country till date whereas 242.5 mm rains were registered last year during this period.
Monsoon is strong in north-eastern India whereas dry spell continues in central India. Western Madhya Pradesh is worst-hit. He informed that normal rains have been registered only in Rewa and Sidhi while 18 districts have not witnessed rain fall till date. According to latest reports, it is raining in eastern Madhya Pradesh and monsoon is also becoming active in western Madhya Pradesh. Monsoon is becoming stronger gradually in north-western Madhya Pradesh and will be fully active in entire Madhya Pradesh within a couple of days.
Kashyapi informed the Chief Minister about arrival of monsoon and its intensity can be informed 2-3 hours earlier through Doppler radar so that people become alert.
Chouhan directed concerning officers to keep in touch with farmers in view of monsoon arrival situation. Field staff should also be alerted. Seeds should be kept in readiness. Farmers should not face any difficulty since every single day is very precious after delay in monsoon arrival. He directed to keep ready seeds of fast-ripening crops of soybean, maize etc. The Chief Minister said that maximum agriculture-related works under MNREGA should be undertaken at the earliest and wages paid to labourers.
The meeting was informed that arrangements have been made for fast-ripening seeds of moong, soybean, arhar, urad, maize, paddy, sesame, kodu, kutki and millet. Adequate funds are being given to every district with which they can make available seeds immediately to primary cooperative societies. Crop loans worth Rs 55000 crore are being extended to farmers through cooperative banks. Chief Secretary Anthony DeSa and senior officers of concerning departments attended the meeting.