Rain edge for NE ahead of kharif season

Guwahati: The northeast is set to gain from both pre-monsoon and monsoon rainfall, giving its farm sector an early edge. Five of the seven northeastern states have recorded normal rainfall so far in the pre-monsoon season from March 1 to May 18.Scientists said timely showers have kept farmlands productive at a time when fertiliser shortages could challenge the northeast and the rest of the country this season amid the conflict in Iran.Only Arunachal Pradesh and Manipur have logged deficient rainfall in the region during the period. The IMD has forecast normal to slightly above-normal monsoon rainfall for the northeast, even as many other parts of India may see below-normal rain.In Assam, paddy nursery sowing began over the past week. Scientists said an early monsoon onset, ahead of the normal June 1 date, could further help farmers.“This vigorous rainfall activity has already recharged the low-lying water bodies, besides providing a congenial environment for raising rice nurseries for the ensuing kharif season,” Prof Rajib Lochan Deka of the agricultural meteorology department of Assam Agricultural University told TOI on Tuesday. “This year, the pre-monsoon rainfall activity in NE is vigorous. Normally 25% of annual total rainfall is contributed by pre-monsoon rainfall,” he added.A district-wise analysis showed 11 districts in Assam received excess rainfall (more than +20% of normal), while 17 districts were in the normal range (within +/-19%). “For the ensuing monsoon season, IMD’s prediction for rainfall in this region is likely to be normal or above normal. But occurrence of dry spell during active kharif rice growing season cannot be overlooked,” Deka said.