'Monsoon covered half of India before schedule'

New Delhi, June 13: The monsoon has covered half of India, two days ahead of the schedule, sources in the meteorological department said on Thursday. An official said the rains have actually advanced slightly more than the half of the country's landmass.

This year, the monsoon arrived on schedule over the southern Kerala coast on June 1 and then proceeded over mainland India.

Rainfall between June 1 and 12 was 23 per cent above average, which has seen a early planting of various summer crops, including rice, oilseeds and cotton in various parts of the country. It was a welcome development for agriculturists particularly after a dry spell witnessed last year.

The annual monsoon is crucial for 55 per cent of farmland without irrigation in India, one of the biggest producers and consumers of foodgrain.

OneIndia News