New Delhi, July 25
The IMD has predicted an increase in rainfall activity over northern parts from July 27 due to the northward shift of the Monsoon Trough. Officials are also expecting improvement in sowing of paddy in the backward parts due to deficient rains.
The Monsoon Trough, which is moving south from its normal position, is expected to gradually shift northwards from July 26, leading to an increase in activity over the north.
While excess rains wreaked havoc in many parts of the country, many areas also recorded deficient rainfall. Less paddy acreage has been reported in many parts that due to lack of rain, the seedlings have become unsuitable for transplanting.
Till date, there is a rainfall deficit of 53 per cent in Uttar Pradesh, 49 per cent in Jharkhand, 45 per cent in Bihar, 24 per cent in Manipur, Mizoram and Tripura and 45 per cent in West Bengal.
There has been good progress in Kharif sowing, but the area under paddy is about 18-19 per cent less than last year. In Haryana too, there was a decline in the area under paddy due to less rainfall.
Haryana is one of the major contributors of rice to the central pool. However, officials say there is a “slight shortfall” in coverage of paddy in the current kharif from eastern India, which will soon recover. In southern states, paddy has been planted in a significant area due to well-distributed rainfall and irrigated parts such as Punjab, Haryana and western UP are no cause for concern, he says. Till July 17, all India paddy sowing was less by 128.50 lakh hectare as against 155.53 lakh hectare last year. Although the cumulative rainfall across the country between June 1 and July 25 is 11 per cent higher, the East and North East are deficient by 15 per cent, leading to an overall coverage deficit.
Paddy growers will benefit
- 18-19% fall in paddy field
- 128.50 lakh hectares covered so far
- 155.53 Lakh hectares covered last year
Rain Shortage
- 53% Uttar Pradesh
- 49% Jharkhand
- 45% A state in Eastern India