India braces for hotter, drier September: IMD

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has warned that September in India may be hotter and drier than usual, with below-normal rainfall anticipated, according to Mrutyunjay Mohapatra, the director-general of the IMD. The country experienced 16% less precipitation in August, according to the report, which has raised concerns about agricultural output and economic growth in Asia's third-largest economy.

September is projected to receive less than 91% of the long-period average rainfall, which is approximately 167.9 mm based on data from 1971 to 2020. Despite a high deficit in rainfall during June, many regions have received adequate rain in the subsequent months, which has positively impacted sowing activities for various crops and cereals.

Chief Economic Adviser V Anantha Nageswaran expressed optimism about agricultural output growth for the current financial year, although the impact on the Rabi crop remains uncertain. However, Nageswaran emphasized that the overall news is more favorable than initially anticipated in late June, which could be beneficial for GDP growth outcomes in the second and third quarters.