FAO/GIEWS - Foodcrops & Shortages 09/98 - INDIA (3 September)
Torrential monsoon rains in August over north and northeastern parts of the country caused severe flooding and landslides. Latest estimates indicate that nearly 60 million people were affected, with some 1 800 killed. Around 3 million hectares of crop area were damaged. Most of the damage was sustained in Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Assam and West Bengal. Furthermore, in early June a cyclonic storm that hit western parts of India resulted in more than 900 deaths, displaced a large number of people, and caused considerable damage to infrastructure.
Generally, the 1998 monsoon began on time and progressed more or less on schedule, bringing beneficial rains for planting of the 1998/99 crops in most southern and eastern parts of the country.
Total food grain production (including milled rice and pulses) in 1997/98 is officially estimated at 195 million tonnes, about 2 percent below the previous year�s record production. The target for 1998/99 production is set at 210 million tonnes.
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