New Delhi, Apr 16 (UNI) The India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Monday predicted that the monsoon is expected to be 96 per cent of a long-term average (LPA).
“The Southwest monsoon seasonal (June to September) rainfall over the country as a whole is likely to be near normal. Quantitatively, the monsoon seasonal (June to September) rainfall is likely to be 96 per cent of the LPA with a model error of plus-minus five per cent,” M Rajeevan Nair, secretary Ministry of Earth Sciences, said while addressing the mediapersons.
“The LPA of the season rainfall over the country as a whole for the period 1951-2000 is 89 cm. Weak El Niño conditions are likely to prevail during the monsoon season with reduced intensity in the later part of the season,” Mr Nair said.
“The sea surface temperature (SST) conditions over the Pacific (El Niño/La Niña) and Indian Oceans (Indian Ocean Dipole-IOD) which are known to have strong influence on Indian monsoon are being continuously monitored. Overall, the country is expected to have well distributed rainfall scenario during the 2019 monsoon season, which will be beneficial to farmers in the country during the ensuing kharif season,” he said.
“The IMD will issue the second stage Monsoon-2019 Forecast during the first week of June, 2019,” he added.
