Heavy rain alerts for Uttarakhand, Bihar; rough sea conditions likely to prevail over north Arabian Sea

Even as Southwest monsoon has remained elusive in the national capital since its arrival on last Friday, the India Meteorological Department today said the states like Uttarakhand, East Uttar Pradesh, Bihar are likely to witness heavy rainfall on July 12. It further said that heavy to very heavy rainfall at isolated places are likely over Himachal Pradesh, Sub-Himalayan West Bengal, Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh and Assam and Meghalaya.

According to IMD, rough to very rough sea conditions, with wind speed reaching 40-50 kmph, is likely to prevail over southwest and adjoining central and the north Arabian Sea, advising fishermen not to venture into these areas for the next few days. 

Meanwhile, India`s monsoon rains in the week ending on Wednesday were above average for the first time since the start of the season on June 1, helping farmers to accelerate the planting of summer-sown crops and easing concerns of drought. The country has received 28% more rainfall than the 50-year average in the week to July 10, according to IMD data.

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India is still recovering from a drought last year that ravaged crops, killed livestock, emptied reservoirs and drained water supplies to city dwellers and some industries. Some municipalities like Chennai, Mumbai and Hyderabad were forced to cut water supplies to ensure stocks lasted until monsoon rains replenished reservoirs.

Notably, monsoon rains are crucial for farm output and economic growth, as about 55% of India`s arable land is rain-fed, and agriculture forms about 15% of a $2.5-trillion economy that is the third biggest in Asia.

(Input from agencies)