As the southwest monsoon subtly makes its way across India after a brief delay, the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has warned that the country could experience below-average rainfall in July.
The warning has triggered concerns about farm output and production as the southwest monsoon accounts for nearly 70 per cent of annual rains in India’s agricultural sector,
upon which millions of livelihoods depend.“July monsoon rainfall is forecast to be below 94% of the long-period average,” said Mrutyunjay Mohapatra, director-general of the India Meteorological Department (IMD), according to Reuters.
Mohapatra said the El Nino pattern –– a condition defined by the unusual warming of sea surface temperatures over the central and eastern Pacific
Ocean –– is expected to strengthen in the coming months and could affect monsoon rains.
India Recorded One Of Its Driest Junes
India recorded its fifth-driest June since 1901, with rainfall ending 39 per cent below normal. The weather body had predicted June monsoon rainfall at less than 92 per cent of the long-period average (LPA).
According to the IMD, below-average rainfall is likely over large areas of central, western, and northern country. However, some areas of northwest India, east-central India, and the eastern peninsula region may receive normal to above-normal monsoon rains.
Monsoon To Knock Delhi Soon
While the usual date of the southwest monsoon’s arrival in Delhi is June 27, the IMD said that the rains are most likely to knock the capital around July 4, offering relief from the dry weather and scorching heat.
Along with Delhi, the southwest monsoon is expected to cover the adjacent regions, including Haryana, Punjab, and remaining parts of Uttar Pradesh within the next two days, the weatherman said, adding conditions remain favourable for the monsoon to advance into these parts of the country.
On June 30, the monsoon rains advanced into parts of Madhya Pradesh, Jharkhand, Bihar, some parts of Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and parts of Himachal Pradesh and Ladakh.
