Monsoon spreads, rains 7% more in June
India's monsoon rains are above normal so far this month and have covered most parts of the country.
By Agencies |
MUMBAI: India's monsoon rains are above normal so far this month and have covered most parts of the country, likely spurring the sowing of crops such as rice, cotton and soybean.
Rainfall since June 1 has been 7 percent above the average recorded between 1941 and 1990, said M. Rajeevan, director at the India Meteorological Department's National Climate Centre.
The four-month rainy season is key to the health of India's $854 billion economy. A bigger harvest can help increase incomes among the 700 million Indians who live in the villages and spur demand for appliances. Higher farm output also reduces the need to import wheat, lentils and vegetable oils.
``It has been a good monsoon so far,'' Rajeevan said in an interview from Pune. ``Conditions are favorable for a very good rainfall across India and particularly in the western region,'' including Mumbai, the nation's financial capital.
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh is counting on an increase in farm output to tame inflation rate that remains above 4 percent. The government is importing wheat and lentils to build reserves of food staples, and has cut import duties on vegetable oils thrice this year to boost domestic supplies.
The country received an average 148.7 millimeters of rains between June 1 and 27, compared with 138.5 millimeters, a level considered normal for the period, the weather office said.
The bureau will update its April prediction of the four- month rainy season later today and provide a forecast for July, Rajeevan said. Rainfall in July makes up a third of the June to September season.
Rainfall in the monsoon season will be 95 percent of the average reported between 1941 and 1990, a level deemed normal, the weather office said April 19.
Rainfall since June 1 has been 7 percent above the average recorded between 1941 and 1990, said M. Rajeevan, director at the India Meteorological Department's National Climate Centre.
The four-month rainy season is key to the health of India's $854 billion economy. A bigger harvest can help increase incomes among the 700 million Indians who live in the villages and spur demand for appliances. Higher farm output also reduces the need to import wheat, lentils and vegetable oils.
``It has been a good monsoon so far,'' Rajeevan said in an interview from Pune. ``Conditions are favorable for a very good rainfall across India and particularly in the western region,'' including Mumbai, the nation's financial capital.
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh is counting on an increase in farm output to tame inflation rate that remains above 4 percent. The government is importing wheat and lentils to build reserves of food staples, and has cut import duties on vegetable oils thrice this year to boost domestic supplies.
The country received an average 148.7 millimeters of rains between June 1 and 27, compared with 138.5 millimeters, a level considered normal for the period, the weather office said.
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The bureau will update its April prediction of the four- month rainy season later today and provide a forecast for July, Rajeevan said. Rainfall in July makes up a third of the June to September season.
Rainfall in the monsoon season will be 95 percent of the average reported between 1941 and 1990, a level deemed normal, the weather office said April 19.
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