India To Get Normal Monsoon Rains In July, Reviving Crop Outlook

(Bloomberg) -- India is likely to see normal rainfall in July, the wettest month of the rainy season, helping to ease a dry spell that's delayed crop planting in many areas.

The forecast from India's Meteorological Department will come as a relief to farmers after temperatures in June soared to a sweltering 46C (115F). Rains may encourage sowing across the country, which is a major producer of rice, sugar and cotton.

July showers, accounting for almost a third of the rain over the four-month season, are seen at 94% to 106% of the long-term average, Meteorological Department Director-General Mrutyunjay Mohapatra said at a briefing Friday. Rains were 10% below normal in June, he said.

Although the monsoon arrived late this year, it's set to cover almost the entire country about a week earlier than usual, according to the weather bureau. The government has predicted a normal season as a whole, with rainfall likely to be 96% of the long-term average.

Read More: Monsoon to Cover India Earlier Than Usual in Boost for Farmers

That's helped ease concerns about food inflation, although analysts are closely monitoring weather risks as the El Niño phenomenon and a positive Indian Ocean Dipole could affect rainfall.

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