More than normal rainfall expected in August and September
05-Aug-2024 04:28 PM
New Delhi. The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted more rainfall than the long-term average (LPA) at the national level in August and September in view of the arrival of the La Nina weather cycle.
The Director General of the Meteorological Department had said on August 1 that the effect of La Nina has started appearing and it will play an important role in the above normal rainfall in September.
According to the Meteorological Department, there is a possibility of rainfall between 94 to 106 percent relative to LPA in August 2024, but rainfall in Gujarat and Maharashtra may be less than normal levels. Both these provinces produce pulses and oilseeds in large quantities.
In the current season of the southwest monsoon, so far about 2 percent more rain has been received than the normal average, due to which farmers in various states are getting a good opportunity to increase the acreage of Kharif crops.
There is a spectacular increase in the sowing area of pulses and oilseeds crops. The production area of Arhar (Tuvar) and Moong in pulses and soybean and groundnut in oilseeds crops is much ahead of last year.
During the current season, agricultural production is expected to increase by five percent, which will increase the supply and availability of pulses especially and prices may soften a bit. The price of pulses and lentils has been running at a very high level for a long time.
In Maharashtra, due to very heavy rains in some other districts including Pune and water being released into the rivers from the dams, there is news of heavy damage to Kharif crops.
There is news of destruction of crops in more than 68 thousand hectares of area in Pune division. Tuvar crop is also included in this.
Now monsoon rains are wreaking havoc in many districts of Madhya Pradesh and the possibility of damage to the urad crop has increased there. Surplus rain in August-September can prove to be harmful for both these pulse crops.