Monsoon at a Standstill Since June 12, Stalled Movement Delays Kharif Crop Sowing
By 2024-06-20 11:45:35
The monsoon season is dead. Stalled Movement Has Been Delaying Kharif Crop Sowing Since June 12
The monsoon, which arrived early in Kerala and the North-East, has been almost at a standstill since June 12, covering roughly 40% of India’s geographical area in the first 14 days. This prolonged pause has exacerbated the heat wave and delayed kharif crop sowing in north and north-west India.
Despite this, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) remains optimistic about good rainfall from July to September due to the upcoming La Nina formation, though it has downgraded June rainfall expectations to 'below normal.' La Nina conditions, associated with cooling ocean temperatures, typically bring good monsoon rainfall to India.
Climate scientist Madhavan Rajeevan notes that monsoon pauses are common but acknowledges the current one is longer than usual, potentially influenced by intra-seasonal activity and the Madden Julian Oscillation (MJO). He expects the monsoon to revive in the last week of June, projecting an overall normal monsoon.
The delay in monsoon impacts farming operations, especially for water-intensive paddy, reducing the gap between kharif harvest and rabi sowing. This may increase stubble burning in north-west India, contributing to air pollution in Delhi-NCR during winter. The agriculture ministry recommends the direct seeded rice (DSR) method to save time, though traditional methods remain prevalent.
