After two consecutive drought years, the country will receive “above normal” monsoon with a fair distribution of rainfall across major parts of country and it will be a “good year”, the Met office predicted last week, easing fears of struggling farmers.
India Meteorological Department (IMD) Director General Laxman Singh Rathore said there are 94 per cent chances of country receiving “normal to above normal” rainfall while there is only 1 per cent probability of “deficient” rainfall.
The monsoon seasonal rainfall will be 106 per cent of the Long Period Average (LPA) with a model error of plus or minus 5 per cent. “Above normal” monsoon is between 104-110 per cent of the LPA and anything beyond 110 per cent of the LPA is considered as “excess”. Rathore said the drought-hit region of Marathwada and Bundelkhand will receive “good rainfall” this year.
“By and large, there will be a fair distribution of monsoon across the country. It will be a good year. During good monsoon conditions there still remain some pockets... which is North-East India, where slightly less than normal monsoon is expected. Also the South-East part of the Peninsula like Tamil Nadu and adjoining Rayalseema districts, may get slightly less than normal rainfall,” Rathore said. “We are also expecting good month-wise quantitative distribution,” he added.
DC Take
Shifting of as many as 13 IPL ties from parched Maharashtra to greener pastures is certainly a welcome move. Having said that, it remains to be seen as how this will exactly help the state hit by acute water crisis.
Also, earlier the cash-rich cricket body had offered to help the farmers by donating a copious amount from its kitty. It was also not immediately know whether the offer is still valid and will be executed in due course of time.
In given circumstances it would be suffice to say that the decision seems to be more in sync with the prevalent public sentiments rather than much-of logic.
