Parts of East & central India expected to get decent rains: Skymet

In an interview with ET Now, Jatin Singh, CEO & Founder, Skymet, gives his views on the progress of monsoon in India. Excerpts:

ET Now: How much has the monsoon progressed in the last one week?

Jatin Singh: Not much. We are still running at -22. East & North-East India is at -7, North is at -42, and South and central India are running at a -23. So, if by 31st July we are still at -20, the question will not be if this is going to be a drought or not, but is this going to be a mega drought event or is it going to be just a moderate drought, that is the choice between 2004 and 2009.

ET Now: When you say we are about 22% below average, when was the last time we saw such a big shortfall in rain?

Jatin Singh: In 2009. Around the the same time in 2009 we were about -27. This clearly reminds me of 2009.

ET Now: Are there any places/areas where rainfall has been above average? Any good news here?

Jatin Singh: Parts of East & central India like Vidarbha, Telengana, eastern Madhya Pradesh, parts of Orissa, northern Andhra Pradesh and Krishna delta will continue to get decent rainfall throughout the season.

ET Now: Which regions have already witnessed deficit monsoon and run the scare of being drought-stricken?

Jatin Singh: We expect this in three areas of Gujarat, Rajasthan and Haryana. The state of Maharashtra also seems to be heading for a drought. If rains in Karnataka do not pick up this week, then it may also join that group.