MC Daily Monsoon Tracker: Reservoir deficit widens as rainfall deficit increases

Reservoir levels dip

Reservoir deficit widened further to 13 percent on July 18 from 10 percent a day before, according to data released by the Indian Meteorological Department and the Central Water Commission.

India’s rainfall deficit crossed the 3 percent level for the first time in two weeks. Ten states in the country experienced over 25 percent lower rainfall as of July 18.

Eight states are experiencing excess and largely excess rainfall with Chandigarh being parched with more than 50 percent shorfall.

In monsoon parlance, a normal is calculated using a long-period average of 30 years for a specific region.

Paddy, pulses and oilseeds experienced over 20 percent higher acreage over the last year, as of July 12. The area sown under paddy and pulses was 11.6 million hectares and 6.2 million hectares, whereas oilseeds covered 14 million hectares.

Sowing under coarse cereals was down 7 percent during this period.

Andhra Pradesh, Punjab and Bihar continue to face over 50 percent deficit in capacity.

The government is hoping for a revival of its agricultural sector, which recorded 1.4 percent growth in FY24, compared to 4.7 percent in the previous year, also lower than the 3.7 percent long-term average.