MONSOON-2023 - By Dr B K Singh & Purnima Nair

Winds and sea surface temperatures in Bay of Bengal signal onset of Monsoon 2023 from May 5th onwards.

Light or moderate isolated to scattered rainfall with thunderstorms, lightning, and gusty winds may impact Madhya Pradesh, Vidarbha and Chhattisgarh during the next five days. As there is chance of rain Fasal Salah advises farmers not to irrigate their crop.

Two troughs, one running from Madhya Pradesh to Tamil Nadu and another extending from Interior Maharashtra to Interior Karnataka, are expected to produce rains and thunderstorms over Central, East, and South India. Light to moderate rains is very likely to occur at isolated places of Telangana. Fasal salah advises farmers to harvest the matured Paddy and Vegetables. Transport the harvested produce to safe places or cover with tarpaulins.

Scattered to fairly widespread light rains accompanied by thunderstorms, lightning, and gusty winds are possible over Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Interior Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, Karaikal, Kerala and Mahe during the next three days. Farmers are advised to s1upport the banana crop by stacking method with casuarina poles.

Heavy rainfall (≧65mm/day) is possible at isolated places over Arunachal Pradesh, Assam and Meghalaya on April 28-29. Fasal Salah advises farmers to stop the transplanting of chilli, brinjal and other vegetables. As there is sufficient soil moisture in the field due to the rainfall, farmers are advised to sow Maize HYV seeds like Ganga-5; High Starch etc. in their field. If there is excess water in the field then proper drainage should be provided.

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