News Capsule: Rabi Crops Need Rainfall
15-Jan-2026 11:26 AM
News Capsule: Rabi Crops Need Rainfall
★ According to the India Meteorological Department, the country received an average of 0.9 mm of rainfall in the week ended Wednesday, which is 73 percent below the normal of 3.5 mm.
★ Between January 1 and January 14, total rainfall stood at 1.8 mm, also 73 percent below the normal level of 6.7 mm for the period.
★ Region-wise, east and northeast India received no rainfall during the week.
★ Northwest India recorded rainfall that was 99 percent below normal, while central India also saw a 99 percent deficiency.
★ In contrast, south peninsular India received 113 percent above-normal rainfall at 4.7 mm.
★ Out of 36 meteorological sub-divisions in the country, 23 received no rainfall and seven recorded large deficient rainfall.
★ One sub-division received deficient rainfall and one recorded excess rainfall, while four sub-divisions received large excess rainfall.
★ Overall, most parts of the country witnessed a sharp shortfall in rainfall during the first half of January.
★ At present, crops such as wheat, chickpeas, lentils, maize, cumin, coriander and ajwain are in urgent need of water.
★ If rainfall does not occur soon, crop productivity could be adversely affected.