MUMBAI: Below-average monsoon rainfall is expected across large parts of India over the next two weeks, raising concerns about recently planted crops in one of the world’s largest agricultural economies.
Western, central and southern regions are expected to receive weaker rainfall, potentially affecting cotton, soybean, corn and pulse crops, according to senior officials from the India Meteorological Department (IMD).
India has received around 12% less rainfall than the seasonal average since the monsoon began on June 1. Some regions have recorded substantially larger deficits, with southern Andhra Pradesh receiving around 34% less rainfall than normal.
“The rainfall deficit could be quite significant in western and southern states during this period,” an IMD official said.
The shortfall could widen towards the end of August as a strengthening El Niño weather pattern is expected to further suppress rainfall.
The development is particularly important for India’s agriculture sector because the monsoon provides around 70% of the country’s annual rainfall. Nearly half of Indian farmland lacks irrigation, leaving millions of farmers heavily dependent on seasonal rains.
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Farmers had accelerated the planting of summer crops, including paddy, cotton, soybeans, corn and pulses, after near-normal rainfall during July improved soil moisture.
Reduced rainfall in the coming weeks could therefore place additional pressure on newly planted crops and water availability.
Agriculture remains an important source of livelihoods in India, with around half of the country’s population depending on the sector. A prolonged rainfall deficit could consequently have broader implications for rural incomes and agricultural production.
