Advising the farmers of Tamil Nadu to wisely decide while choosing crops during the Southwest Monsoon, the Tamil Nadu Agro Climate Research Centre (ACRC) at the Tamil Nadu Agriculture University (TNAU), Coimbatore, has predicted a normal rainfall during the season.

South-west monsoon forecast for Tamil Nadu-2016 (District Wise)

Briefing media persons here, C. Jayanthi, Director of the Department of Crop Management, said that more than 80 per cent of the state would receive normal rainfall benefitting the farmers.

“There will not be surplus rainfall this season, and we advise the farmers to choose crops like millets and maize based on the predicted rainfall,” she said.

But Jayanthi also stated that the rainfall will be deficit in four districts including Coimbatore, Nagapattinam, Thiruvarur and Ramanathapuram. “While Coimbatore will receive 152 mm of rainfall, which is 20 mm lower than the average of 189.8; Ramanathapuram will receive a deficit of 21 mm; Nagapattinam, a deficit of 21 mm; and Thiruvarur, a deficit of 24 mm,” she added.

Citing the rise in the temperature in these places for the deficit rainfall, S. Panneerselvam, Head and Professor of the ACRC, said that the temperature of these places have risen considerably over the years.

Pannerselvam also opined that the deficit was also because of the variations between the Southern Oscillation Index, and the air pressure and high temperature above the Pacific Ocean.

“These places usually receive lower rainfall during the Southwest monsoon. Seven districts faced deficit last year,” he added.

He also informed that overall rainfall in the State during the monsoon is expected at 302.2 mm against the average of 330.8 mm.