BackMonsoon rains ease in predicted lull
Monsoon rains ease in predicted lull
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New Delhi: Key monsoon rains were 10% above normal in the past week to 29 June, slowing from 23% above average the previous week, the weather office said on Thursday, and could slow further next week, a source in the weather office said.
The slowing rains reflect a weakness in the monsoon over south and western India’s rice, oilseed and cotton areas which sources at the weather office had predicted.
“There could be a decrease in rainfall activities over central and western India next week, while south India could continue with its current subdued rainfall activities," a source in the weather office said.
But the country’s rice growing areas of the eastern region could receive good rains in the first week of July, he added.
In the rice and cotton areas of southern Andhra Pradesh state, rains were 42-51% below normal in the past week while in the oilseed areas of western Gujarat state there were very low rains.
“Hardly any rainfall occurred in Gujarat," said another source in the weather office.
India’s June to September monsoon rains are crucial to crop production in nearly 60% of the country.
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