Heavy rain in Northwest expected, farmers wary

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, September 23

As rains continued to lash the region, with Delhi recording more than half of rainfall in September in just 24 hours, the IMD said parts of the plains of Northwest would continue to record heavy rains for the next couple of days.

“Parts of Northwest India along with Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand will continue to witness heavy rainfall for the next day two-three days,” the weather office said, adding there would be a significant reduction in rainfall thereafter. On its impact on Kharif crop, which may see marginal decline in output, experts say it is unlikely to impact food security or drive inflation up as India has enough reserves.

They, however, said farmers, at the individual level, had been hit the hardest by the highly erratic monsoon and many had not yet received help from state governments.

“The monsoon has given surplus rains in south and central India, while east and northeast India have reported precipitation deficit,” said Mahesh Palawat, vice president (meteorology and climate change), Skymet Weather.

The estimated dip in the Kharif rice output is linked to the rain deficit in the Indo-Gangetic plains (IGP), especially in east Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand and West Bengal, from June to August. At the same time, central India reported damage to crops due to excess rain during this period, he said.

Heavy rain in NW plains likely, farmers wary

• Parts of northwest plains will continue to record heavy rain for the next two-three days, says IMD
• Farmers in region cautious with many reeling under losses due to uneven rain
• Experts say dip in yield unlikely to impact food security or drive inflation up

Little impact of dip in yield: Experts

• Rice output is likely to decline by 6% to 105 million tonnes
• Experts say marginal dip due to uneven rains unlikely to impact food security or inflation
• But farmers at individual level hit hard, didn't get much help from govt, they say

About The Author

Tribune News Service

The Tribune News Service brings you the latest news, analysis and insights from the region, India and around the world. Follow the Tribune News Service for a wide-ranging coverage of events as they unfold, with perspective and clarity.