The Agriculture secretary Ashish Bahuguna said that the monsoon has been expected to be better in September as the rainfall and weather is not being affected by the El Nino reportedly. He said that this could mean good news for the Kharif and the rice crops.

El Nino would cause the abnormal warming of the surface of the ocean water in the pacific and this would lead to a change in the weather pattern resulting in drought and poor rains to floods in a few regions of the world,

He said"I don't think the September rains will be impacted due to El Nino though the temperatures increase would not influence the Indian Monsoon in September. He said that the Indian Nino was now in favor of India in a CII event.

The 13% deficit of rains is expected to be covered with proper rains in September. This would ensure that the soil moisture is restored to help the Rabi crops apart from the benefit to the Kharif crops. The Withdrawal of the monsoon which usually happens by September 1 has been delayed this year as the onset also had been a month later than expected.

"Normally, monsoon starts withdrawing from north-west India around September 1. This year, it seems withdrawal will be delayed. Onset of monsoon was delayed and withdrawal will also delay. We will have more rainy days," he said.

(AW- Anil)