The government's latest forecast that the region is expected to receive much below the “below the normal rainfall†predicted for the rest of the country may worsen the situation.
Punjab and Haryana are already witnessing protests, dharnas and road blockades by farmers against inadequate and irregular supply of power. Industrialists have also started protesting against prolonged power cuts and the increased number of weekly power-offs. The plight of domestic consumers is worse as eight to 18 hours of daily power cuts are forcing them to spend sleepless nights in unbearably high temperatures.
Pre-monsoon showers Punjab and Haryana usually witness in June followed by regular monsoon rains about a fortnight later help farmers start paddy transplantation. The increased irrigation needs for the water-guzzling paddy are also met by the snowmelt and monsoon water inflows into the Bhakra-Beas Management Board-controlled reservoirs from where the partner states meet bulk of their power and water requirements. But during their current filling season which starts in May and ends in September, the reservoirs have this year been receiving insufficient snowmelt water despite the high temperatures because of last year's scanty snowfall in the reservoirs catchment areas. As a result, the water levels in Bhakra, Pong and Ranjit Sagar reservoirs have alarmingly gone down which may force the BBMB, if the dry spell continues, to drastically reduce the water releases which will further worsen the water and power shortages in the region.
As a result of the elusive rains and acute power shortage, the ongoing paddy transplantation operations in Punjab and Haryana have suffered a setback. According to Punjab Agriculture Department, the total area under paddy transplantation in the state as on June 22 stood at 8.5 lakh acres, two lakh acres less than last year's 10.5 lakh acres till this date. Transplantation is usually completed by the second week of July. Farmers of Punjab and Haryana are trying to meet their irrigation requirements through tube wells. Besides adding to their input costs, this will also play havoc with the groundwater levels in the two states. Over-exploitation of groundwater has already alarmingly depleted its levels in the two states.
Punjab and Haryana are the biggest contributors, in that order, of surplus wheat and rice to the central pool. In the outgoing rabi season both reaped a bumper wheat crop. They had hoped to repeat their performance for rice during the current kharif season. But the situation created by acute shortage of water and power will dampen their hopes. The situation may somewhat be retrieved if the monsoon arrives by June end.
The poor snowfall and paucity of rains are also hitting Himachal Pradesh's horticulturists. The state is the biggest producer of apples in the country. Because of poor snowfall and delayed monsoon, the soil has been deprived of the required level of moisture to ensure good fruit production. Reports are that in some parts of the state, apple plants have started wilting. (IPA)
Monsoon and its impact
Elusive monsoon playing havoc with northwest region's economy
Output of wheat, rice and apple to be severely affected
B.K. Chum - 26-06-2009 12:31 GMT-0000
CHANDIGARH: First it was scanty snowfall in the Himalayas last winter. Now it is the elusive monsoon. The northwestern region, The country's foodgrain and apple bowl, is in the grip of nature's fury. The water and power shortages created by the delayed monsoon and poor inflows into the Himalayan reservoirs which meet most of the water and hydro power requirements of Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Rajasthan, Delhi and Chandigarh are posing a threat to the region's economy besides causing political unrest.