Inadequate rainfall to dent farm sector in July, August: IMD

Notwithstanding the plentiful rainfall in June, the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast less than normal precipitation over the next two months and advised the Agriculture Ministry to keep ready a contingency plan. According to laxman Singh Rathore, Director-General of the IMD, rainfall could be deficient by eight to ten per cent in July and August respectively.

“June has received a good amount of rainfall. It was also a sowing season. But then we should not be complacent and there should be a contingency plan in place as July and August may not have as good rainfall as June. “There is, however, some respite as the pre-monsoon showers have helped fill up reserviors to some extent,” Rathore said.

However, Skymet, a private weather forecasting agency, has predicted “above normal” rainfall (104 per cent) in July, “normal” rainfall (99 per cent) in August and (96 per cent) in September.Anything less than 90 per cent of long Period Average (lPA) is considered as ‘deficient’ rainfall, 90-96 per cent is ‘below normal’, 96-104 per cent ‘normal’, 104 to 110 above normal and anything over it is ‘excess’.

The IMD has predicted 88 per cent of normal rainfall this year, which is “deficient”. Many parts, especially North-west India, may witness deficient monsoon. However, June received 28 per cent more than normal rainfall.Rathore advised the farmers to choose their crops wisely after a careful look at the weather forecast.