Strengthening El Nino brings fresh drought fears in the country

Drought fears linger as El Nino is reasserting itself, unhindered by rain-boosting weather system that were active in June that helped increase planting of crops significantly and filled more water in reservoirs.



US forecaster Accuweather has said that northwestern India, which includes grain-bowl states of Punjab and Haryana, and Pakistan are heading for a drought as El Nino strengthens.

"The size of the drought area will be smaller, compared to earlier analysis. Heavy rain in some areas during June will lessen the impact of lower rainfall amounts moving forward," Accuweather told ET. It said July and August would be dry, although parts of Madhya Pradesh and Odisha may get heavier showers than what was earlier expected. The weather office on Friday said rainfall in the past day was 58 per cent below normal, continuing the weak phase that began after June 25, when seasonal rainfall was 28 per cent above normal. Thanks to the heavy rainfall in June, area under kharif crops is 58 per cent higher than last year, according to official data. Planting of oilseeds and pulses has risen sharply, which should help calm soaring prices of lentils and reduce the demand for imported cooking oil if the trend continues.

Heavy showers and rising prices have prompted farmers to increase planting of oilseed by 403 per cent, pulses by 133 per cent, cotton by 70 per cent and coarse cereals by 51 per cent compared to last year, according to latest data from the agriculture ministry.

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