India records best monsoon in 5 years, core agricultural zones receive 122% rainfall

India received 8% above normal rainfall during the four month long monsoon season, which is the best during the last five year, said the India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Tuesday, adding that the monsoon core zone, which consists of most of the rain-fed agriculture regions in the country, received 122% of the LOng Period Average (LPA).

The all India summer monsoon rainfall was 937.2 mm which is fifth highest since 2001 and thirtieth highest since 1901, the weather office added.

The early arrival of the monsoon this year, followed by good rainfall activity, helped farmers increase sowing of kharif crops such as rice, pulses and sugar cane, according to the agriculture ministry.


A better harvest and stronger agricultural output will mean lower food inflation which has already contracted 0.7% in August prompting relaxation in export policies for farm products such as wheat and sugar.

This year the southwest monsoon advanced over the South Andaman Sea and Nicobar Islands on May 13, nearly nine days ahead of the normal schedule. It arrived in Kerala on May 24, ahead of the usual onset date of June 1 and covered the entire country by June 29, against the normal date of July 8.

The southwest monsoon provides about 70% of India's yearly rain and is vital for the agriculture sector that supports over half of its 1.4 billion population. Adequate rain will help boost crop output and lower food prices in the country where most of the farmland is rain-fed.

This year out of the 36 meteorological subdivisions, two subdivisions, covering 10% of the country’s total area, experienced large excess rainfall. Twelve subdivisions, constituting 35% of the area, received excess rainfall, while 19 subdivisions, representing 46%, recorded normal rainfall, according to IMD.

However, three subdivisions - Arunachal Pradesh, Assam & Meghalaya and Bihar - accounting for 9% of the total area, experienced deficient rainfall during the season.

The monsoon withdrawal began from west Rajasthan on September 14, advancing by 3 days. However, further withdrawal of monsoon will be stalled for at least one more week.