Excess rainfall in over 72% of the country in March: IMD

NEW DELHI: More than 72 per cent of the country has received excess rainfall in March in a phenomenon of unseasonal rains that led to crop losses.

According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), from March 1 to 18, of the 36 sub-divisions, 26 received excess rainfall. During this period only one sub-division received normal rainfall.

The entire north, west and central India witnessed excess rainfall during the period.

However, the eastern coast, which includes southern part of West Bengal, Odisha and coastal Andhra Pradesh, has received "deficient" rainfall, and the Rayalseema region, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Puducherry witnessed "scanty" rainfall.

In several parts of the country, rainfall is seldom witnessed in March.

Unseasonal rains and hailstorm in the past few days have damaged wheat crop in several parts of the nation, including Punjab and Haryana. Mango crop was also affected to some extent due to rains in Maharasthra.

Last year, unseasonal rains and hailstorm during March- April period had damaged the wheat crop significantly, resulting in sharp fall in production by 9.32 million tonnes.

Wheat output is estimated to rise to 93.82 million tonnes in the 2015-16 crop year (July-June), as against 86.53 million tonnes the previous year, despite drought.