New Delhi, June 11
The crucial southwest monsoon is expected to cover the entire country ahead of schedule this year and drench the North by June 22, much to the relief of people, farmers and the ruling Congress-led UPA as it hopes to approach the 2014 General Election with positive sentiments from the grassroots.

Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) officials confirmed that the monsoon is making good progress and would cover most parts of the country by June-end, bringing relief to paddy and coarse-grain farmers and boosting foodgrain production in the ongoing kharif season. Good rains will also help overcome the acute water shortage in many parts of the country by building on groundwater levels and major reservoirs.

“While the normal date of arrival of monsoon in Delhi and adjoining Haryana, Punjab and Chandigarh is June 29, it will arrive at least a week in advance.

Pre-monsoon showers, which have already started in Punjab and some parts of Haryana, will last till June 15,” said IMD director-general LS Rathore. Most parts of parched central, western and eastern India are getting excellent showers. According to IMD, heavy rainfall will occur at one or two places over MP, Himachal and Uttarakhand during the next 48 hours. Rain and thundershowers will also occur at many places over northwest and central India in the next three days. Till June 10, rains have been a substantial 12 per cent more than normal and among the best in the past few years, suiting the UPA’s plan to bring in an ordinance on the Food Bill.