Gains from rains: on monsoon performance
Monsoon Performance so far:
- Came at the textbook date of June1.
- Record pace in covering the country.
- More rainy days in June. IMD data suggests 14% more rainfall compared to long-term average.
- Fairly even distribution across the India.
- Except for northwest India, which is staring at a 3% deficit, the rainfall in east, south and central India has posted surpluses of 13%-20%.
Significance:
- High coverage of the Kharif Crop.
- Enhanced water level in the big reservoir, which will ensure good irrigation facility along with supply of drinking water.
- Maintain of good supply of the food crop leading to check in food inflation.
- In Covid 19, agriculture has been the sunshine. Good Monsoon will keep the agriculture growth in progress.
- Migrants returned to their villages will get job opportunities at farmlands.
- Good Monsoon will enhance the rural purchasing power leading to overall growth of the economy.
Concern:
- June accounts only for the 17% of rain while, July and August accounts for 2/3rd of the rainfall. Monsoon should not get weak during this time.
- In the coming months, break in monsoon is also observed, which leads to absence of rainfall.
Terms related to Monsoon:
Monsoon:
- Seasonal winds which changes their direction as per reversal in the seasons.
- Periodic winds
Two types of Monsoon:
- South West Monsoon : In Summer: Majority of Rainfall
- North East Monsoon: In Winter: Mainly on the Coast of Chennai
Onset of Monsoon:
- Arrival of Monsoon
- Generally on June 1 at the coast of Kerala.
Break in Monsoon:
- Period of no rainfall.
- Happens due to parallel flow of winds to the mountains or Northward shift of the ITCZ.
Monsoon burst:
- Onset of the Monsoon along with the thunder and lightening.
Reference: https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/editorial/gains-from-rains/article32071933.ece