Pre-monsoon rain deficit in 20 states to hit farming

Twenty states have recorded largely deficient premonsoon rain from March 1-April 25, IMD shows.

- Neha Madaan

The lack of rain in these two months sustains heat wave conditions, offers fruits and vegetables no respite from heat stress, and can impact irrigation for sugarcane and cotton, besides hitting pre-kharif sowing activity to some extent.

Several river basins recorded no rainfall at all, while many others have seen deficient to largely deficient rain, which could put more pressure on dam water usage, experts said. Pre-monsoon rain in India adds up to nearly 11% of India's annual rainfall.