City
Epaper

IMD predicts India to see normal rains during monsoon season

By Lokmat English Desk | Updated: April 11, 2023 15:29 IST

India Meteorological Department (IMD) said that the country can expect normal rainfall during the southwest monsoon season as a ...

Open in App

India Meteorological Department (IMD) said that the country can expect normal rainfall during the southwest monsoon season as a positive Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD) and a lower snow cover over the northern hemisphere are likely to counter the evolving El Nino conditions.

This forecast comes as a relief for the agricultural sector, which heavily relies on monsoon rains for crop production. India to see normal rainfall during the southwest monsoon season (from June to September). It is likely to be 96 per cent (with an error margin of 5 per cent) of the long-period average of roughly 87 cm, M Ravichandran, Secretary, Ministry of Earth Sciences said.

There is a 67-per cent probability of normal to above-normal rainfall, said M Mohapatra, Director General of Meteorology, IMD. He said the snow-covered area over the northern hemisphere and Eurasia was below normal from December 2022 to March 2023.

If at all there is any adverse impact due to the evolving El Nino conditions during the monsoon season, it is likely to be countered by the favourable impact of a positive IOD and the lower snow cover over the northern hemisphere, Mohapatra said. Mohapatra said normal to below-normal rainfall is predicted over parts of northwest India, west-central and northeast regions during the southwest monsoon season.

Normal rainfall is likely over many parts of the peninsular region, adjoining the east-central, east, northeast areas and some parts of northwest India, he said.

Unseasonal rains and hailstorms in March damaged rabi crops in large parts of the country, causing losses to thousands of farmers. The government, however, said wheat production was not impacted due to the unseasonal rains. In March this year, the government said the export ban on wheat will continue as long as the country does not feel comfortable with the domestic supplies to meet its food security needs.

Tags: India Meteorological DepartmentEl ninoindia
Open in App

Related Stories

TechnologyHow To Effortlessly Transfer Data from Android to iPhone Using Apple’s Move to iOS App

NationalDonald Trump Imposes Additional 25% Tariff on India, Total Tariff Now 50%

TechnologyWill the Government Have to Offer More Incentives on EVs? NITI Aayog Raises Concerns Over Slow Sales Growth

OpinionsWhy is Trump So Upset with India?

MumbaiUniversity of Bristol Chooses Mumbai for Its First Overseas Campus, Set to Open in September 2026

National Realted Stories

NationalGovt ready to hold talks with Jarange-Patil any time, resolve legal issues related to Maratha quota: Maha minister

NationalMadras HC upholds ‘A’ certificate for Rajinikanth film ‘Coolie’; dismisses petition of producers

NationalCongress’ Bihar push seen as a tactical move amid electoral marginalisation

National‘Rahul Gandhi is new Mani Shankar Aiyar of Congress‘: Sambit Patra over derogatory remarks against PM Modi

NationalIndia, Bhutan ink pact to strengthen agricultural ties