Monsoons finally arrived in the state of Kerala today, four days behind schedule, bringing relief to farmers.
u00a0
The southwest monsoon, crucial for agriculture, hit Kerala today, with a senior official saying that the four-day delay was not a cause for worry.
ADVERTISEMENT
u00a0
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) said monsoon rains had enveloped the entire southern state, bringing all-round cheer.
u00a0
The monsoon accounts for 80 percent of the rainfall in India. Even a minor delay can adversely affect the economy as about half of India's farm output comes from crops sown during the June-September rainy season.
u00a0
IMD director general LS Rathore said that the monsoon was expected to advance rapdily into other parts of the country.
u00a0
Kerala gets the annual monsoon rains on June 1, marking the start of weeks of showers in the Indian mainland.
u00a0
Last year, however, the monsoon arrived in Kerala on May 29.u00a0
u00a0
Rathore, however, said there was nothing to panic about the delayed rains as the four day delay was well within the forecast limits.u00a0
u00a0
u00a0
Representational picture
The IMD has said that the 2012 southwest monsoon season (June-September) for the country as a whole was most likely to be normal.
u00a0
"The deviation in arrival of monsoon rains would have no adverse impact on sowing of kharif (summer) crops like paddy and pulses," he said.
u00a0
The monsoon normally reaches Delhi by June-end. but according to IMD it is too early to say when the capital will get rains.
u00a0
"We can only make date specific forecast towards the end of this month by seeing the spread of monsoon in the rest of the country," IMD director BP Yadav said.u00a0
u00a0
Agriculture expert Devinder Sharma was, however, cautious.u00a0
u00a0
"The delay in monsoon by a day or two is fine. But the most important thing is the spread of monsoon during June and July, the sowing season for kharif crops," Sharma said.
u00a0
He said that in last few years, there have been cases when monsoon arrived before time but states like Rajasthan, Gujarat and Bihar did not receive sufficient rains, leading to crop failure.
u00a0
"I am more worried about the spread of monsoon as more than half of our crop production is dependent on the southwest monsoon," he added.
"Exciting news! Mid-day is now on WhatsApp Channels 
Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here!
Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here!
