Patna, May 31: The state has witnessed surplus pre-monsoon rainfall this year, triggering hopes of a bumper paddy harvest amid the national growth gloom.

So far, there was 115.9mm rainfall in the state between March and May — 49 per cent more than the normal of 77.5mm in this period. The city witnessed 128.6mm rainfall in the same period — the second highest after 137.4mm rainfall between March and May in 2007.

Most parts of the state experienced rainfall today also. Friday was the city’s wettest day of May in 10 years.

The rain abundance is perfect for sowing paddy, ripening of mangoes and other summer crops. Most agriculture experts are seeing it as a boon after the economic growth rate of the nation slipped to a decade low of 5 per cent in 2012-13 on account of poor performance in several sectors, including farming.

But, if the ongoing rain prolongs, it could prove to be a damper for the agro sector.

The ongoing spell of rain across the state because of twin weather systems — a low pressure area over Jharkhand and a trough line lying between the Bay of Bengal and Madhya Pradesh — is expected to continue during the next three to four days. If it really rains that long, litchi, and standing and harvested maize crops could be damaged.

Ashish Sen, director, India Meteorological Department (IMD), Patna, told The Telegraph: “The low pressure area over Jharkhand is very strong at present and it is moving very slowly towards Chhattisgarh. The trough line between Madhya Pradesh and the Bay of Bengal is also static at its position for three weeks now. While the downpour that started from Thursday is expected to weaken by Saturday afternoon, light rainfall is expected to continue in most parts of the state for the next three to four days.”

Sen also claimed that the summer season is officially over in Bihar now. “There would not be any heat wave or sharp rise in temperature during this year in the state. The ongoing spell of prolonged rainfall has marked the end of summer in Bihar.”

Most farmers claimed that this rainfall would turn out to be a boon for the growth of paddy. “The sowing of paddy seedlings in nurseries is advised in the first week of June and good rain like this is considered highly favourable for their timely germination. The ongoing rainfall is good for the growth of other summer crops, including moong, sugarcane and summer vegetables like ladies finger and French beans among others,” said Sudarshan Pandey, a farmer from Buxar district and a member of Rajya Kisan Ayog, Patna.

Some other farmers feel excessive rain at this time of the year could be harmful for the agricultural activities.

“If the rain stops by tomorrow, it would be definitely a boon for dropping paddy seedlings in nurseries. However, if the downpour continues for another three to four days, it would damage litchi, standing and harvested maize crops and even mangoes, which may develop excess blackening,” said Sudhanshu Kumar, a farmer from Samastipur district.

Agricultural experts claimed that the ongoing rain could have both positive as well as negative impacts on mangoes that are at the maturing stage at present.

“The rain would augment the ripening of mango fruits. However, the high-level of moisture in the air would also lead to growth of fruit flies, which damage mangoes,” said Anil Jha, an agricultural expert from the state.

Litchi experts, on the other hand, seemed worried about the damage caused by the rain. “Rain from March to mid-May is favourable for the growth of litchi. Now, it is its harvesting season and rain is not good. It may lead to infestation of insects, harming litchis,” said Amrendra Kumar, senior scientist, National Research Centre for Litchi, Muzaffarpur.