Forecasts of heavy rains across key central and western growing regions of India have stoked fears of potential crop losses in the second half of September, farm experts and industry officials said.
Monsoon rains, which turned patchy in the first week of September, will pick up in the second half of the month, the state-run India Meteorological Department (IMD) said on Monday.
Plentiful monsoon rains spurred Indian farmers to plant summer crops across a record swathe of farmland 7% bigger than last year, promising a bumper harvest in Asia's third-biggest economy, despite the rapid spread of coronavirus.
Monsoon rains, which picked up pace in August, are likely to be heavy for the rest of the month, the chief of the state-run India Meteorological Department (IMD) said, potentially benefiting summer crops such as rice, corn and cotton.
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Indian reliance on unpredictable seasonal rains has made the yearly monsoon forecast a key event. Here is a look at Indians waiting with bated breath for the rain clouds to gather. Full Coverage
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A look at how people welcome monsoon showers in India as the sizzling summer heat gives way to rains of relief. Full Coverage
