AP records near-normal June rainfall; Kharif yet to pick up

Visakhapatnam: Most districts in Andhra Pradesh recorded normal rainfall, despite El Nino and the delayed onset of the southwest monsoon over the state in June (the first month of the southwest monsoon June-Sep period).

However, the kharif season is yet to pick up in the state as farmers in dilemma due to projected below rainfall during the monsoon.Against the normal average rainfall of 94.1 mm, the state received 91 mm of rainfall from June 1 to 30, which translates to around three per cent below the normal rainfall.As per the IMD, Bapatla district recorded 65 percent rainfall deficit (large deficit) at the end of the June, followed by Srikakulam at 45 percent rainfall deficit, West Godavari (41 percent deficit), Sri Sathya Sai (38 percent deficit) and Anantapur (37 percent deficit).

Nellore and Nandyal districts recorded 50 per cent excess rainfall each, followed by 46 percent rainfall excess in NTR district.In 2025, Andhra Pradesh recorded 31 percent below normal rainfall in June. Against the normal rainfall of 94.1 mm, the state received 65.4 mm rainfall.The southwest monsoon arrived in the state on June 6, and it took around nine days to cover the entire state, and its progress has remained sluggish in some parts of the state till last week of June.

The state experienced moderate to heavy rainfall during the last week of June.The southwest monsoon’s significance is evident as it brings more than 60 percent of the annual rainfall required for agriculture and water resources in Andhra Pradesh. The farmers said paddy cultivation is likely to decline in parts of coastal Andhra Pradesh as well as the Rayalaseema region in the state, as most of the farming community is in a dilemma over the cultivation of the crop following the weathermen’s prediction that the El Nino effect is likely to affect rainfall during the monsoon.The erratic rainfall activity has affected the kharif season, delaying cropping in parts of north Andhra Pradesh, Srinivas, a farmer. The monthly average rainfall over India is expected to be below normal during July, the India Meteorological Department said on Tuesday in its monthly forecast. However, some parts of Andhra Pradesh may experience normal to above-normal rainfall, and most parts of the state may witness below-normal rainfall in July.

The projected low rainfall in July may hit the kharif sowing operations in the state.