The southwest monsoon hit Kerala on Friday, but there is a growing panic within the Narendra Modi government about its movement, intensity and distribution.
What is causing serious concern is that the rainfall during the season is likely to be much lower than the 95 per cent of the long period average (LPA) predicted by the India Meteorological Department initially. The department will give its detailed forecast on Monday.
The kharif crop is likely to be hit in parts of southern, western and central India. In particular, there is serious concern about the progress of the monsoon, already five days behind schedule, and the intensity of rain in Karnataka, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Gujarat.
What will make matters tough is the impact of El-Nino which will cause rain deficiency in August and September.
Transplantation of paddy begins in Punjab by June 10. But this year, the Punjab government has issued an ordinance asking farmers to delay the sowing till June 15. For transplantation of the Basmati variety, farmers have been asked to wait till July 5.
States have been asked to make arrangements for short-duration variety of seeds, locate sources of water and ensure power that shall be required for additional diesel pumping in places like Punjab and Haryana. District-wise Contingency Plans have been put in place.
