India’s annual monsoon provides almost 70% of the rain it needs to water farms and replenish reservoirs and aquifers and is the lifeblood of a nearly $3.5-trillion economy. The monsoon generally begins in June and starts to retreat by Sept. 17 but the rains continued this year, which helped to replenish reservoirs but damaged the harvesting of crops that were ready in some states.
As of September 23, India had received a cumulative rainfall surplus of 5 per cent. The abundant rain has bolstered the sowing of kharif crops to one of their best levels in recent years. A strong end to the monsoon season has also replenished reservoirs and this augurs well for the upcoming rabi sowing. Moreover, the late surge in rainfall may have enhanced residual soil moisture levels.
Presentation – Dibyabharati Nayak
