Report of the Steering Committee on Irrigation Sector for the Tenth Five Year Plan (2002-2007)

Abstract

India, which has 2.45 percent of the world’s land resources, has roughly 4 percent of the world’s fresh water resources, whereas the country’s population is 16 percent of the world’s population. Most of the rainfall - 76 percent of it as per India Meteorological Department - in India occurs as a result of the southwest monsoon between June and September, except in the State of Tamil Nadu which falls under the influence of the northeast monsoon during October and November. More than 50 percent of precipitation takes place in about 15 days and less than 100 hours altogether in a year.