India Senses Bumper Pulse Crop

VANCOUVER - Aug 9/13 - SNS -- Pulse production in India ended up at the second highest level in the country's history in 2012-13 and is poised to match or even set a new record in the coming year if this year's monsoon season ends on a favorable note for developing crops.

As of August 8, this year's monsoon rainfall has been 14% above normal. Accumulations have been heaviest in central India, which has received 39% more rainfall than normal, compared to 20% above normal in the northwest and 27% in the south peninsula. However, the eastern and northeastern India have received 33% less rainfall than normal.

Heavy monsoon rains have also recharged major reservoirs across the country. By the end of July, there was more than twice as much water in the country's reservoirs as there was at this time last year. Unfortunately, water levels continue to rise and there is now a significant risk that some reservoirs will be breached.

Most worrisome is the Mullaperiyar reservoir near Kumili on the Kerala-Tamil Nadu border. Last week's water levels were just short of the dam's capacity of 136 feet. Once it reaches 136 feet, water will flow out through the spillway and into the Idukki reservoir. Because the dam needs replacing, people in the region were extremely worried about the risk of catastrophic flooding.