India's Monsoon Stalls, 35% Rainfall Deficit; Government Directs Contingency Plans Amid El Niño Warning
India is experiencing a 35% nationwide monsoon deficit, with rain clouds yet to reach Mumbai, stalling northward progress in central India, Maharashtra, and the Konkan coast. While northwest India received 5% more rain, other regions are in deficit. The Union Agriculture Minister has directed states to prepare crop-wise contingency plans and identified 150-200 districts for priority monitoring, encouraging a shift to cotton and pulses. This deficit is particularly significant as forecasters globally warn of a 'Super El Niño' year, which typically suppresses the Indian monsoon later in the season.
Key Points
- India is facing a significant nationwide monsoon deficit of 35%, with central India experiencing a 61% deficit.
- The government has initiated contingency plans, including monitoring 150-200 districts and promoting cotton and pulses cultivation.
- The current rainfall shortfall is concerning due to global forecasts of a 'Super El Niño' year, which historically weakens the Indian monsoon.
- The monsoon's first pulse weakened, delaying its establishment over Mumbai due to an anticyclonic circulation and unfavorable Madden-Julian Oscillation phase.
- Reservoir storage is better than previous El Niño years, but the IMD's forecast for seasonal rainfall has been lowered to 90% of the long-period average.
Exam Facts
- Nationwide monsoon deficit: 35% as of Tuesday.
- Central India rain deficit: 61%.
- IMD's first-stage forecast in April pegged seasonal rainfall at 92% of LPA, later lowered to 90%.
- Reservoir storage in May: 30.4% of capacity, against 25.1% average in previous El Niño years.
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