more-inThe government is keeping a close watch on the progress of the errant monsoon, even as it prepares to formulate a contingency plan for farmers to tackle the impact of rainfall deficit on various crops. What is worrying officials and planners is the declining trend in the rainfall during the southwest monsoon which contributes almost 85% of the total rainfall in Kerala. The rainfall deficit was 24% in 2012, 26% in 2015, and 34% in 2016. The season’s rainfall data during the southwest monsoon this year shows a deficit of 25%, with the State receiving only 1,287.6 mm against a normal of 1,713.5 mm. Experts fear that a heavy rainfall deficit would be disastrous for many crops.

Source: The Hindu August 27, 2017 19:07 UTC