Monsoon forecast revised from "below normal" to "deficient"

New Delhi, June 2: The Indian Metereological Department (IMD) has revised its monsoon forecast from 93 per cent to 88 per cent, i.e., from "below normal" to "deficient", Union Science and Technology Minister Harsh Vardhan said on Tuesday.

The minister said the country's Northwest region which be badly affected because of deficient rainfall. Delhi, Haryana, Western Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan will be hit, as per the IMD prediction.

The IMD said the monsoon is expected to hit Kerala by June 4, three days after its normal onset date.

The Southwest Monsoon had advanced over the Bay of Bengal by May 21 but its progress has been delayed by anti-cyclone in the Arabian Sea.

Timely onset of the Southwest Monsoon is key for kharif crops and a deficient rainfall will hit the yields adversely. Last year, the country saw 12 per cent less rains, which affected agricultural production.

Agriculture saw 0.2 per cent growth in 2014-15 fiscal. As per the government's estimate, total foodgrain production has declined to 251 million tonnes in 2014-15 crop year from 265 million tonnes in 2014.

Oneindia News