Visakhapatnam: Andhra Pradesh too has been experiencing an erratic monsoon. A few bursts of rain at the beginning of the season have been interspersed by prolonged, dry spells.
This year, coastal AP and Rayalaseema registered about 55 per cent and 80 per cent excess rainfall respectively in June, which was the highest in the country. But as of August 22, many districts are dry.
Such an inconsistency in the Monsoon carries many disturbing implications. It is
upsetting the prospects of farmers, is depleting groundwater levels, causing a water crisis and is lowering the amount of food produced.
Retired meteorologist, Rallapalli Murali Krishna, told DC that even though many weather systems had formed in recent times, they were shifting base to other states due to lack of a southward tilt in the emerging low pressures and depressions.
"The South-West Monsoon currents have been drifting towards China. But good rains are on the cards in September. Climatic change has its own role to play in erratic monsoon patterns," Mr. Murali Krishna added.
Also, farmers in Andhra Pradesh had started the kharif season on a positive note but the situation now is grim. A good spell of rain towards the start of September is needed for crops to survive. The South-West Monsoon is a lifeline for farmers in Andhra Pradesh.
