Monsoon seasonal rainfall for the country is likely to be 93 per cent of the long period average, according to latest long range forecast update for 2014 by the India Meteorological Department (IMD).
The Southwest monsoon rainfall forecast announced on Monday is worse than the previous forecast in April this year when the IMD had predicted seasonal rainfall to be 95 per cent of the long period average. The forecasts are with a model error of +_ 4 per cent.
“Implications (of the deficient rainfall) would happen to a larger or smaller extent. We will prepare to handle that. Measures related to crops and other areas will be taken,” Minister of State of Science & Technology (Independent Charge), Jitendra Singh said addressing a press conference.
Rainfall over the country as a whole for 2014 Southwest monsoon season (June to September) is likely to be below normal at 90-96 per cent of the long period average (LPA).
Chances of El Nino occurring during the monsoon has increased to 70 per cent, according to the ESSO-IITN coupled dynamical model.
Monsoon is expected to hit Delhi on June 28-29, an IMD official said.