Coy monsoon delays kharif planting

16 June 2009

The weather department confirmed last night what has become obvious to the layman and weather-watching farmers – that the monsoon is unlikely to revive in the next few days.

According to India Meteorological Department predictions, the rainy season may gather momentum on or after 20 June, pushing it at least 10 days behind the 'normal' date of 10 June for Maharashtra.

Farmers have been hit hard as the sowing the kharif crop has got delayed. But some traders may be laughing all the way to the bank – futures of condiments and spices like jeera and pepper have soared on the back of the uncertain monsoon.

Up to 7 June, the monsoon had entered parts of Maharashtra including Kolhapur district, a sugarcane growing region, as per the map on the IMD website. But there has been no further advance since.

Monsoon rain for the week ended 10 June was 37 per cent below normal as its progress stalled after an early start, IMD said last week. The monsoon hit the southern coast on 23 May, ahead of the normal date of 1 June, but then weakened in last week of May and first week of June.

''The absence of favourable conditions has prevented the monsoon from making progress,'' said P C S Rao, director (weather, central), IMD. However, favourable conditions are expected in three or four days, he added.