On 9 June a cyclonic storm hit western parts of India, resulting in more than 900 deaths and displacing a large number of people with considerable damage to infrastructure. However, overall crop damage was limited, as Kharif planting had not begun and there were no standing crops.
Harvesting of the mainly wheat Rabi (winter) crops is complete. This year's wheat output is officially estimated at 66.5 million tonnes against the previous year's record production of 69.3 million tonnes. The decline was attributed to delayed monsoon in parts followed by heavy rains during the optimal planting period of November through mid-December. The official estimate of foodgrain production (including milled rice and pulses) in 1997/98 is put at 195 million tonnes, nearly 3 million tonnes below last year's record production of 198 million tonnes. However, aggregate paddy output for 1997/98, including Kharif and Rabi, is estimated at a record 123 million tonnes. It is estimated that the Food Corporation of India (FCI) had procured 6.8 million tonnes of wheat from farmers up to May 10, compared with 2.7 million tonnes in the same period last year. The Government expects to procure a record 12 million tonnes of wheat for sale in the current marketing season compared with 9.2 million in the last season.