96 per cent of normal average rainfall in Maharashtra so far, but rain distribution remains uneven

Mumbai, Jul 14 (PTI) Maharashtra has received 334.5 mm of rainfall, or 96.28 per cent of the normal average of 346.4 mm, between June 1 and July 13, but the overall distribution of rain remained uneven across the state. According to a presentation made before the state cabinet on Tuesday, Kharif sowing has been completed on 96.21 lakh hectares, accounting for 67 per cent of the state's normal sowing area of 144.36 lakh hectares. In the corresponding period last year, Kharif sowing had covered 120.65 lakh hectares, or 84 per cent of the normal area. The cabinet was told that paddy transplantation was underway in some places. Sowing operations are gathering pace, and crops sown so far are largely in the germination to early vegetative stage, according to the presentation. It said rainfall distribution remained uneven across the state. Nine districts, namely Thane, Raigad, Palghar, Ratnagiri, Ahilyanagar, Pune, Satara, Sangli and Jalna, recorded more than 100 per cent of normal rainfall, while Nandurbar received the lowest 29 per cent of its normal rainfall. Twelve districts recorded a rainfall between 50 and 75 per cent of normal, while another 12 districts received 75 to 100 per cent of normal rainfall. The crop-wise sowing data showed maize has been sown on 8.91 lakh hectares, or 95 per cent of its normal area, followed by soybean on 37.37 lakh hectares (79 per cent), and cotton on 32.79 lakh hectares (77 per cent). Overall pulse sowing stood at 11.46 lakh hectares (56 per cent), oilseed sowing at 38.20 lakh hectares (78 per cent), and total foodgrain sowing at 25.21 lakh hectares (48 per cent) of the normal area. Paddy sowing was reported on 2.87 lakh hectares, or 19 per cent of its normal area. PTI MR NSK