India: Monsoon Report - 3
According to the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD), cumulative levels of rainfall from June 1 to July 13 were three percent below IMD’s long-term average (LTA) of 280 millimeter (mm). As a result, 43.7 million hectares have been planted for the kharif (fall harvested) season, an increase of 64-percent over last year. Assuming normal July rainfall, higher water levels in major reservoir should support planting/transplanting of irrigated crops like rice.