Impact on sowing of Kharif crops in North India due to monsoon getting delayed

05-Jun-2025 03:24 PM

New Delhi. This year, the Southwest Monsoon arrived in India on 24th May, eight days earlier than its usual onset date of 1st June. Its initial progress was promising, bringing heavy rainfall to the southern states, Goa, Maharashtra, and the northeastern region within the first five to six days. Based on this rapid movement, it was anticipated that the monsoon would cover the entire country by mid-June.

However, as June began, the monsoon lost momentum and has not yet become fully active over North India. Although the Meteorological Department has predicted above-normal rainfall for June, this will only materialise if monsoon activity picks up significantly. A positive development is the expected arrival of a Western Disturbance, with a trough likely to extend from southwest Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, and Vidarbha to coastal Andhra Pradesh. This could trigger rainfall in some parts of these states.

Another cyclonic circulation is anticipated over the Bay of Bengal near the Andhra Pradesh coast, which may bring rain to parts of eastern, central, and southern India. Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Haryana, Punjab, Rajasthan, and neighbouring states are still waiting for monsoon rains to begin the sowing of Kharif crops. While recent pre-monsoon showers have left some moisture in the soil, it is insufficient for sowing water-intensive crops like paddy.

According to the European Weather Forecasting Centre, some activity is expected over the sea during the last week of June, possibly leading to widespread heavy rains across various regions in the first two weeks of July. As of now, the rainfall pattern for June remains somewhat uncertain, adding to the concern of farmers in North India.