Update on Indian Monsoon
Aug 22, 2016
India received 1% below rainfall during the week ended August 21, 2016. While the Central and North west regions received 9% and 6% above normal rain respectively, the North east and the Southern regions received 17% and 12% below normal rain respectively, according to Bloomberg citing the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD).
The monsoon rains are crucial for the planting and development of the Kharif rice and other crops. Planting for India's 2016-17 Kharif (main) rice crop (June - December) as of August 19, 2016, reportedly stands at around 34.638 million hectares, up about 4% from around 33.426 million hectares during the same period last year.
The IMD predicts a normal rainfall for India this year. Last year, rainfall in the country was 14% below-average and 12% below-average in 2014.