New Delhi (Rajeev Sharma): The Prime Minister’s Office on Tuesday conducted a comprehensive review of the southwest monsoon and the country’s preparedness to deal with possible weather-related disruptions, with officials reporting that the nationwide rainfall shortfall has narrowed considerably after improved showers during the first week of July.
The meeting, chaired by Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister P.K. Mishra, brought together senior officials from multiple ministries to assess the evolving monsoon situation and examine contingency measures in view of the anticipated impact of El Niño during the current season.
During the review, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) informed the PMO that although the monsoon reached several western and central states later than usual, rainfall activity has strengthened in recent days. As a result, the all-India rainfall deficit has come down to 12 per cent below the long-period average.
According to the IMD, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh witnessed a delay of around 10 days in the arrival of the monsoon. However, the weather system has since become more active, with many regions receiving above-normal rainfall during the opening week of July.
Meteorological officials also briefed the meeting on El Niño conditions over the Pacific Ocean, stating that weak to moderate intensity is expected over the next two months. At the same time, they emphasised that an El Niño event does not necessarily result in deficient rainfall across India, and forecasts will continue to be updated based on changing atmospheric conditions.
Agriculture preparedness formed a key part of the discussions. The Ministry of Agriculture informed the PMO that continuous monitoring is underway through the Crop Weather Watch Group, which regularly reviews rainfall trends, sowing progress, reservoir storage, pest outbreaks and crop conditions in coordination with state governments.
Officials said district-level contingency plans have already been updated in more than 260 vulnerable districts to ensure quick response if rainfall becomes erratic. Advisory documents prepared by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) have also been circulated to Krishi Vigyan Kendras to help farmers manage weather-related risks during the kharif season.
The ministry further highlighted that advances in climate-resilient crop varieties, better irrigation practices and improved agricultural technologies have helped maintain foodgrain production even during previous years that experienced uneven monsoon rainfall.
The PMO directed all departments to maintain close coordination, continue monitoring weather developments and ensure timely support reaches farmers and affected regions if required. Officials stressed that regular reviews will continue throughout the monsoon season to safeguard agricultural output and minimise the impact of any adverse weather conditions.
