Brace for more rain in North India

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, July 25

The IMD has predicted an increase in the rainfall activity over northern parts from July 27 due to northward shift of monsoon trough. Officials are also expecting a recovery in paddy coverage in parts lagging behind due to the lack of rains.

The monsoon trough, which is running south of its normal position, is expected to shift gradually northward from July 26, leading to an increase in activity over the North.

While excess rains wreaked havoc on several parts of the country, many regions also reported deficits. Lesser paddy acreage has been reported from many parts with seedlings becoming unsuitable for transplanting due to the lack of rains.

As on date, Uttar Pradesh is 53 per cent rain deficit, Jharkhand 49 per cent, Bihar 45 per cent, Manipur, Mizoram and Tripura 24 per cent each and West Bengal 45 per cent.

While kharif sowing has progressed well, area under paddy is lagging behind by around 18-19 per cent as compared to last year. Haryana also reported a fall in paddy acreage due to deficient rains.

Haryana is one of the major contributors of rice to the central pool. Officials, however, say the “slight deficit” in paddy coverage in the ongoing kharif is largely from eastern India, which will recover soon. In southern states, paddy has been planted in a significant area due to well-distributed rainfall and there is hardly any cause of concern in irrigated parts like Punjab, Haryana and western UP, they add. As on July 17, all-India paddy coverage was down at 128.50 lakh hectares against 155.53 LA last year. Though cumulative rains are 11 per cent higher across the country between June 1 and July 25, east and northeast is 15 per cent in the red, the reason behind overall coverage deficit.

Paddy growers set to benefit

• 18-19% fall in area under paddy
• 128.50 lakh hectares covered so far
• 155.53 lakh hectares covered last year

Rain deficiency

• 53% Uttar Pradesh
• 49% Jharkhand
• 45% Bihar

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