Though the monsoon has set over India, Andhra Pradesh has been severely hit due to deficit rainfall. Poor rains in Karnataka and Maharashtra, too, is a cause of concern as AP’s main rivers are fed by water from these states. The Centre is worried that poor rains in Karnataka and Maharashtra could adversely affect the production of coarse cereals, apart from putting stress on availability of drinking water.
Union agriculture minister Sharad Pawar said on Wednesday that he was concerned about inadequate rains in Maharashtra and Karnataka. In the state, while Anantapur is the worst hit (-60 per cent to -99 per cent), 10 districts have received deficit rainfalls. Nationwise, the deficit was 23 per cent. According to Met officials, the average rainfall received from June 1 to July 11 was 137.4 mm as against a normal of 166.3 mm; a shortfall of 17 per cent in the state. Excess rainfall has been reported in South Coastal region (+22 per cent), normal rainfall in South Telangana (-5 per cent) and North Coastal region (-7 per cent), deficit rainfall in Rayalaseema (-41 per cent) and North Telangana (-31 per cent).