Monsoon Likely To Hit Kerala 1st June

10 May, New Delhi

Monsoon is expected to arrive on time this year, hitting Kerala on 1st of next month. Sources in the Indian Meteorological Department, IMD said that there is no possibility of delay in the arrival of monsoon as of now.

As per IMD, the normal date for monsoon onset on the southern coast is 1st of June.

However, the south west monsoon is expected to be below normal this year and the country will receive 93 per cent rainfall.
The timely onset of south-west monsoon is crucial for sowing of kharif crops like paddy as almost 60 per cent of the farm land in the country is rainfed.

The deficit in rainfall may lead to decrease in the production of rice and other crops. Last year, the country had received 12 per cent less rains, which hit production of grains, cotton and oilseeds.

The Agriculture Ministry has also prepared a contingency plan for 580 Districts of the country to minimise the impact of weak monsoon on kharif production.

The Agriculture sector contributes only 15 per cent to India’s Gross Domestic Product .