Monsoon deficit stays high, kharif crops face yield risk

India’s monsoon rainfall deficit remained stuck at 12% as of mid-August, with the dry second week of the month erasing gains from the first week, according to Hindustan Times. The newspaper reported that August rain had developed a 10.5% deficit, returning the cumulative deficit to the same level as July 31. India Today, however, forecast that rainfall during the rest of August would be normal to slightly below normal, though the seasonal deficit could end between 12% and 18%.

The uneven distribution of rain is a growing concern for kharif crops, which are entering critical growth stages. Hindustan Times reported that soybean, maize, and paddy are at risk if moisture stress persists through late August. Agriculture ministry data showed kharif sowing area was about 2% lower than a year earlier, with rice acreage down 3.7%. Mahesh Palawat of Skymet Weather told the newspaper that the first half of August prevented the deficit from worsening but did not deliver the widespread rainfall needed to offset the seasonal shortfall.