The southwest monsoon (June-September), after its early onset over Kerala coast last month, has covered the entire country nine days ahead of the normal schedule, India Meteorological Department (IMD) said on Sunday.
This is the fourth consecutive year during which the monsoon rains progressed across the country well before the normal schedule of July 8. In 2015 and 2020, monsoon rains covered the country on June 26.
Early coverage of monsoon and adequate pre-monsoon showers are expected to give further boost to sowing of kharif crops — paddy, pulses, oilseeds, cotton and sugarcane — and will replenish the reservoirs.
IMD also predicted heavy-to-very-heavy rainfall over many parts of northwest, central, east and northeast India during the next seven days.
“Over the first ten days of July, enhanced rainfall is expected in central, northern and some parts of eastern India, whereas the northeast and southeast are likely to witness suppressed rainfall,” Akshay Deoras, research scientist, National Centre for Atmosphere Science, University of Reading, United Kingdom, told FE.
Experts said adequate rainfall during July and August are crucial for boosting crop yield for kharif crops as well as ensuring that reservoirs are adequately filled.
Typically, the southwest monsoon after onset over Kerala coast in early June covers the entire country by July. The monsoon rains start gradually receding from the north region during the mid-September
With the revival of monsoon progress since June 16, so far cumulative rainfall during June 1 – 29, according to the met department, was 170.4 millimeter which is 8% over the benchmark – long period average (LPA) or above normal category.
The met department last month had reiterated its earlier forecast of ‘above normal’ monsoon rainfall at 106% of LPA during June-September this year, but said June might see “excess” rainfall.
There is also 90% chances of the rains being in the “normal-to-excess” range through the four-month (June-September) season, the met department has stated.
Around 75% of India’s annual rainfall occurs during the monsoon season, which replenishes water reservoirs, rivers, lakes, and groundwater, which are vital for irrigation and drinking water supplies.