According to the data of the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the monsoon rains reached the shores of Kerala on May 24, surpassing the long-term average by eight days and marking the earliest onset in the past 16 years. Reported by Reuters.
It is expected that the early arrival of rains will create favorable conditions for the sowing of summer crops in the country and increase the chances of a successful harvest.
It's worth reminding that the monsoon plays a crucial role in India's agriculture, providing nearly 70% of the annual rainfall needed for field irrigation and groundwater replenishment. Almost half of the country's agricultural lands are without irrigation systems and rely entirely on rains from June to September.
According to IMD forecasts, by 2025, the monsoon rainfall for the second consecutive year will exceed the long-term averages. It is expected that the precipitation levels this summer will range from 96% to 104% of the 50-year average, which is 87 cm for the season.