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LATEST NEWS UPDATES | Monsoons seeing a repeat of 2009-M Allirajan

Monsoons seeing a repeat of 2009-M Allirajan

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published Published on Jul 26, 2012   modified Modified on Jul 26, 2012
-The Times of India

COIMBATORE: The rainfall pattern during the current south-west monsoon is similar to 2009 when the country witnessed a drought. The overall rainfall deficiency has been 21.9% below the LPA ( Long Period Average) till July 18, which is similar to the one witnessed in 2009. This has raised the specter of drought in the country this year, observers tracking the agriculture sector have said.

A drought year is defined as one in which rainfall deficiency is in excess of 10% of normal for the country as a whole and more than 20-40% of the area (either individually or together) is affected by moderate or severe drought conditions.

"Going by the official definition, a continuation of status quo in the remaining weeks of this monsoon season will lead to drought/severe drought in 2012," analysts at ratings agency Crisil said. When the spatial coverage of drought is in excess of 40%, it is classified as an all-India severe drought year. "The spatial coverage of the rains and its quantum would classify the prevailing situation into a drought year," Crisil said.

The DRIP ( Deficient Rainfall Impact Parameter) score, a measure devised by Crisil to assess the impact of poor rainfall, for most states has been close to or higher than 2009 levels, foreboding a drought. The DRIP is a better indicator compared to just rainfall deficiency as it captures the deficiency of rainfall (measured as deviation from normal) as well as the vulnerability of a region (measured as percentage unirrigated area), Crisil stated.

If monsoons continue to remain below normal in August, growth could fall below 6% from the current expectation of 6.5%, it said. "The prices of pulses and coarse cereals, which are rain-fed crops and for which no buffer stocks exist, could flare up as a result," the ratings agency said. Moreover, prices of oilseeds are expected to rise further because of lack of adequate sowing and lower acreage. This will push up the wholesale price index based inflation beyond the estimated 7% mark.

Empirical evidence has shown that whenever poor rainfall in June was compensated by good rains in July and August, agricultural performance has been normal. In 2005-06 and 2006-07, heavy rains in July and August compensated for poor rains in June and raised agricultural growth to 4%.

"So, the crop damage will be limited in regions where the rainfall situation improves in July/August." But in regions where rainfall continues to remain scanty, the damage that has already been done to kharif crops cannot be sufficiently mitigated even if monsoons bounce back. However, a bounce-back of the monsoon in August and September will improve the ground water situation and help the next season's (rabi) crop.


The Times of India, 26 July, 2012, http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Monsoons-seeing-a-repeat-of-2009/articleshow/15164179.cms


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