India to see 90% of long period average rainfall this monsoon: IMD

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has further reduced its estimate of monsoon rainfall to 90% from the 92% it forecast in April. This is the lowest ever forecast in the run-up to the Monsoon by the IMD.

There is a 60% chance of monsoon rain being below 90%, what IMD classifies as ‘deficient’. The IMD does not have a criteria for declaring ‘drought’ and only indicates if rainfall will be “deficient”.

Northwest, central and southern India are likely to see below normal rainfall, IMD Director General, M. Mohapatra, said

Day and Night temperatures to be “on the higher side”, he added.

The monsoon which was forecast to arrive in Kerala on May 26 would be likely in the first week of June, the IMD said.

The monsoon has arrived on India’s southern seas but has unfortunately not arrived on the land, Ministry of Earth Sciences Secretary M. Ravichandran said.