The Hindu : National : Weakening monsoon causes concern

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Wednesday, Jul 07, 2004

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National

Weakening monsoon causes concern

By Gargi Parsai

NEW DELHI, JULY 6. With indications that the monsoon would become weak after July 8, the Agriculture Ministry is closely monitoring the situation. The Ministry is already concerned at the scanty rainfall in ``pockets'' of northwest and northeast.

If rainfall remains deficit in parts of the country till July 15, then the Ministry will put in place a contingency plan for kharif sowing that could withstand the deficit, sources said.

As of now, there had been deficient rainfall in ``pockets'' of northeast, parts of Vidarbha in Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, Andhra Pradesh, Lakshadweep, Punjab, Haryana, western Uttar Pradesh and Delhi. If the deficiency remains it will affect the sowing of paddy, pulses, oilseeds and cotton, this being the kharif sowing season.

Due to the dry spell in the ``pockets'' rice nurseries have been hit by pests and insects in Orissa, Andhra Pradesh and Kerala.

The Ministry is wary of a repeat of the drought of 2002 when the delay in monsoon and ``pockets'' of dry spell were overlooked, resulting in widespread drought in 17 States.

The contingency plan will include advice to States on varieties of late sowing kharif crop, alternate crop and water management techniques.

Although the monsoon has further advanced into parts of south Rajasthan, major parts of northwest India, including Punjab, Haryana, western U.P. and north Rajasthan, are yet to receive rain.

There is concern that easterly winds may sweep away the monsoon clouds building over the northeast.

It is expected that the monsoon, low over Chhattisgarh, will move west-north-westwards by tomorrow and weaken. The system is likely to move slowly northward through Uttar Pradesh, without moving to northwest India, which is a major cause of concern.

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