India likely faces below-normal rainfall in June due to the monsoon's slow progress, the country's weather department said on Tuesday, raising concerns for its agricultural sector.
Summer rains, critical to economic growth in Asia's third-largest economy, usually begin in the south around June 1 before spreading nationwide by July 8, allowing farmers to plant rice, cotton, soybeans and sugarcane.
The country is most likely to receive below-normal rains, or less than 92% of the long-period average rainfall, the state-run India Meteorological Department (IMD) said in a statement.
The IMD was previously expecting normal rainfall during June.
India has received 20% less rainfall than normal since June 1, according to data compiled by the IMD, with almost all regions except for a few southern states seeing shortfalls and some northwestern states experiencing heat waves.
The monsoon is the lifeblood of the nearly $3.5-trillion economy, bringing nearly 70% of the rain India needs to water farms and refill reservoirs and aquifers.
Nearly half the farmland in the world's second-biggest producer of rice, wheat and sugar does not have access to irrigation and depends on annual rains that usually run until September.
Latest Stories
-
GPL 2024/25: GoldStars aim to end two-game winless run against Bechem United
6 hours -
EU pledges to strengthen ties with Morocco following ECJ ruling
7 hours -
Spain and France reaffirm EU-Morocco partnership amid ECJ ruling
7 hours -
Abola Traditional Council, Ga State announce passing of paramount queen mother, Naa Okaitsoe III
7 hours -
Emotional vigil climaxes 3-day anti-galamsey protest as demand to #FreeTheCitizens intensifies
7 hours -
Nduom accuses political figures of deliberately collapsing GN Bank
8 hours -
Global initiative launches October 6 in Kenya to combat 70k maternal deaths
8 hours -
2024/25 Ghana League: Struggling Nsoatreman host bottom club Legon Cities
8 hours -
NDC has lost campaign on economy; all they’re talking about is galamsey – Finance Minister
8 hours -
WHO approves first mpox test for quick diagnosis
8 hours -
Claims GN Bank illegally transferred money from Ghana to the US untrue – Nduom
8 hours -
Maison Yusif wins ‘Perfume Manufacturing Company of the Year’ at Ghana Industries and Manufacturing Awards
8 hours -
2024/24 GPL match report: Heart of Lions hold Medeama in Tarkwa
9 hours -
The Artificial Limitation of Choices: A Call for Innovation, Design, and Standards in Ghana’s Economy
10 hours -
I will reform the constitution and fight corruption – Alan Kyerematen
13 hours