FAO/GIEWS - Foodcrops & Shortages 11/01 - INDIA (6 November)
A severe cyclone that hit the south-eastern state of Andhra Pradesh in October caused 59 deaths and 200 people missing according to unofficial reports. Some 46 000 people had to be evacuated to relief camps.
Inadequate monsoon in southern Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh states will result in a maize output similar to the previous year's output of about 12 million tonnes. The monsoon is reported to be above-normal in other parts of the country but the southern states received less rains earlier in the season.
Early indications suggest an above-average rice crop for the 2001/02 season. The aggregate cereal production in 2001 is expected to be 187 million tonnes (rice in milled terms) which is average and is slightly below last year�s above-average production of 192 million tonnes.