Monsoon set to cover India ahead of schedule, boosting crop sowing prospects

The early spread of rains is expected to give a strong push to the sowing of key summer crops.

The monsoon, which powers India’s nearly $4 trillion economy, is crucial for farm irrigation and replenishing the country's water reserves.

Roughly 70% of India’s annual rainfall comes from the June–September monsoon season, and nearly half of the country’s agricultural land relies solely on these rains due to lack of irrigation.

In a typical year, the monsoon hits Kerala around June 1 and reaches the rest of the country by July 8.

After stalling for nearly two weeks, this year’s monsoon regained momentum last week, sweeping across central India and most of the northern states, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said.

As of Thursday, rains had reached nearly all parts of the country, barring some pockets in Rajasthan, Haryana, Delhi, and Uttar Pradesh, as shown in an IMD chart.

R.K. Jenamani, head of the national weather forecasting centre, said conditions were favourable for the monsoon to cover the remaining areas within the next three to four days, reported Hindustan Times.

Despite a sluggish start that saw rainfall 31% below normal in the first half of June, the situation has improved dramatically.

The rainfall surplus now stands at 9% for the month, thanks to the recent revival.

Central and northern India are expected to receive above-average rainfall this week and into the next, helping farmers speed up the sowing of vital crops such as rice, corn, cotton, soybeans, and sugarcane.

These are typically planted soon after the onset of monsoon rains.

The IMD has also forecast above-average monsoon rainfall for 2025, marking the second consecutive year of strong seasonal rains.