Heavy Rainfall Across States Aids Crop Sowing

28-Jul-2026 11:15 AM

New Delhi. The Southwest Monsoon continues to intensify and strengthen, bringing heavy rainfall to various parts of the country. A depression formed over the Bay of Bengal has deepened and gained strength, likely causing heavy rains in the eastern and northeastern states. Heavy rainfall is also forecast for Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Maharashtra, and parts of Karnataka, while rain is expected in Uttar Pradesh.

Rainfall in previously rain-deficient areas is helping farmers accelerate the sowing of Kharif crops. At the national level, the gap in Kharif crop acreage compared to last year has narrowed to less than 5 percent, while sowing has been completed on 71 percent of the area relative to the five-year average.

Although the acreage for paddy, pulses, oilseeds, coarse cereals, and cotton was lagging behind the corresponding period last year as of July 24, 2026, the shortfall is not significant enough to cause serious concern or be irreparable. The intensifying monsoon is raising new hopes, and the progress of Kharif crops is improving. The weather in August will now be crucial.