Widespread rain in the past 24 hours across several parts of the north and central India will boost Kharif sowing, easing concerns over the possible late arrival of monsoon, officials and experts said on Tuesday.
In its recent forecast, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said the monsoon would reach Kerala by June 7. The monsoon rains, that usually reach Kerala by June 1, are crucial for agriculture, more importantly this year after two years of back-to-back drought.
“This rain is certainly good for agriculture. It is the time when farmers are preparing their fields for sowing. It will help to cut irrigation cost,” K.K. Singh, chief of the IMD’s agricultural meteorology, told The Hindu .
Rain occurred in most places of Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and in many places of Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand, besides many eastern States, in the past 24 hours, according to the IMD.
