This spell’s for 24 hrs only but good news: sowing in Rajasthan

The other low pressure area—over Orissa and West Bengal—that is bringing rain to peninsular and central India will remain, meaning continuation of rain over central India.

Whether the low pressure from the Bay will move Westward will be clearer in the next three days.

Last week, the monsoon began reviving first over central India with the low pressure from the Bay moving into the country’s landmass, the result of which several Met divisions under the ‘‘scanty’’ category fell from 12 to 1. And the number of divisions that are ‘‘normal’’ increased from 5 to 13.

The reservoirs are fuller — there is 8 per cent more than the levels the previous week. And with rainfall in the catchment areas of all the Himalayan rivers, the number is expected to go up by the end of this week.

With monsoon in its ‘‘active phase,’’ the whole country is now covered including East and West Rajasthan. This short spell at least means that the farmers will be able to re-sow or even plant short-duration varieties. For the seeds to be sown, farmers need a minimum of 25 mm in one spell. For states like Rajasthan and Haryana, once the seed gets moisture to germinate, it can survive even harsh conditions.

The rains were most dramatic in Maharashtra and Gujarat, covering the entire state. Heavy rains lashed Mumbai for the second consecutive week. The other places that got rain were Delhi, Punjab, Rajasthan, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir. Delhi received 60 mm of rainfall, whereas in the entire season it had previously received just 80 mm.

Chandigarh, where it has been pouring since yesterday, received a record rainfall of 122.5 mm till this morning. During the two-month period from June one to July 31 this year, the city received only 185.3 mm of rain. In Haryana, rains lashed Ambala (12.2 mm), Hisar (10 mm), Kalka (35 mm), Karnal (2 mm), Sonepat, Panipat and Panchkula (10 mm).

The government is not taking chances as delayed rain means loss in agriculture even though figures might look good at the end of this spell. Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar today said a liberalised package for farmers, including rescheduling of farm loans and greater employment, would be unveiled this week.

‘‘The situation is not that alarming now as compared to a week ago,’’ said Pawar after a meeting with the Finance Minister.

Pawar, who reviewed the situation with Prime minister Manmohan Singh last night, said that states facing scarcity conditions would consider a two-year moratorium on the earlier loans taken by them.

Pawar said the task force on disaster management, which he heads, would meet this week to take a view on the report of the high-level committee headed by the Agriculture Secretary on drought.

The Centre would review the state of monsoon all over the country within a fortnight. He would also visit parts of UP and Rajasthan that have received poor rainfall.