Unlike last year, monsoon seems to have eluded Ludhiana district. While the district received 125 mm rain in the first two weeks of July in 2012, it rained only 45 mm during the same period this year.
According to agro meteorology department of Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), July, which was considered the first month of monsoon, had received 80 mm rain less this year.
"The rainfall in Ludhiana district this July is quite below normal. Last year, rainfall by the first fortnight of July was recorded at 125 mm, 80 mm more than this July," said KK Gill, head, met department, PAU.
The total rainfall in July last year was recorded at 296 mm, which is considered a normal monsoon. However, this year it seems unlikely that the district will get normal monsoon.
However, the met department has predicted the monsoon getting active in the district and adequate rainfall in the next 24 to 48 hours.
As per weather department, Ludhiana, Bathinda, Muktsar and Mansa in Punjab, have received below normal rain this monsoon.
"But it's not a situation to worry, as there are chances of the monsoon getting active in August," Gill said.
{{/usCountry}}"But it's not a situation to worry, as there are chances of the monsoon getting active in August," Gill said.
{{/usCountry}}Meanwhile, the agriculture experts here stated that the weaker monsoon was not a grave concern for agriculture in the region as of now.
"The reports coming from various areas shows that the crop growth especially paddy and cotton are normal. The situation could only get serious if similar dearth of rain continues for the rest of the month as well," said Mukhtiar Singh Gill, director extension research at PAU.