Monsoon rain forecast to be 101% average this year

Dimapur, June 1 (EMN): India Meteorological Department (IMD) has indicated that the Southwest monsoon seasonal rainfall over the country from June to September is likely to be normal (96 to 104% of LPA) this year.

On Tuesday, it said that monsoon rains would be 101% of the long period average (LPA) of 88 cm.

The IMD in its update also stated that rainfall over the northwest would be ‘normal’ though this is a wide range from 92-108% of the LPA and that in the southern peninsula 93-107% of its normal. Seasonal rainfall is most likely to be below normal over the northeast (<95%) and above normal over central India (>106%), the update noted.

The southwest monsoon seasonal rainfall over the monsoon core zone, which consists of most of the rainfed agriculture regions in the country, is most likely to be above normal (>106% of LPA), it observed.

Monsoon seasonal rainfall is likely to be well distributed spatially, it said, adding that most parts of the country are expected to receive normal to above normal rainfall during the season.

“The latest global model forecasts indicate the prevailing neutral ENSO conditions are likely to continue over the equatorial Pacific Ocean and possibility of development of negative IOD conditions over the Indian Ocean during the monsoon season,” it added.