New Delhi (NVI): The country is likely to receive average monsoon rainfall this year, the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) said today, raising hopes among the farming community for higher farm output, amid looming concerns over coronavirus pandemic.
The IMD gave the information while issuing the first stage long-range forecast for south-west monsoon season rainfall this year.
M Rajeevan, secretary at the Ministry of Earth Sciences, while addressing a press conference here, said that monsoon rains are expected to be 100% of a long-term average.
“This should really help our agriculture sector for better crop yield and also will definitely help our economic growth in this country,” the secretary said.
IMD Director General Mrutyunjay Mohapatra said that the MeT department defines average, or normal rainfall as between 96 per cent and 104 per cent of a 50-year average of 88 centimetres for the entire four-month season beginning June.
IMD has revised the onset and withdrawal date of monsoon over several parts of India. Monsoons are expected to hit Kerala on June 1, as before.
Meanwhile, in another good news for the farming community, the government today said that restrictions will be eased on agriculture-related activities after April 20.
In the fresh guidelines issued for the extended lockdown till May 3, the Government gave relaxation to agriculture, e-commerce and select industrial activities.
