NEW DELHI: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Monday said that the core monsoon zone, encompassing most of the rain-fed agricultural areas in the country, is expected to receive above-normal rainfall this season.
Director general of IMD, Mrutyunjay Mohapatra, said that below-normal monsoon rainfall is expected in northeast India, while normal to above-normal rainfall is predicted for northwest, central, and south peninsular regions.
Mohapatra emphasized that the core monsoon zone, covering states such as Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Odisha, Chhattisgarh, Uttar Pradesh, and West Bengal, is likely to receive rainfall exceeding 106 per cent of the long-period average. This prediction comes as a significant relief, especially for agricultural communities reliant on rain-fed farming practices.
Additionally, Mohapatra highlighted the likelihood of normal rainfall in June, with conditions favorable for the onset of the monsoon over Kerala in the coming days. While most parts of southern peninsular India may experience normal to above-normal maximum temperatures in June, he cautioned that the spatial and temporal distribution of rainfall may vary across the country.
The announcement of above-normal monsoon rainfall offers hope for alleviating the impact of the prevailing heatwave and drought-like conditions in certain regions. However, climate scientists caution that climate change may exacerbate the variability of rain-bearing systems, leading to more frequent droughts and floods.
The monsoon plays a pivotal role in India’s agricultural landscape, with over half of the net cultivated area relying on it. Moreover, it is crucial for replenishing reservoirs essential for drinking water and power generation across the nation.
Mohapatra also mentioned the prevailing El Nino conditions, which are associated with weaker monsoon winds and drier conditions in India. However, scientists anticipate the onset of La Nina by August-September, which typically brings plentiful rainfall during the monsoon season.
Furthermore, the development of a positive Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD) is anticipated, which can enhance rainfall in southern India. The IMD also noted the inverse relationship between below-normal snow cover in the northern hemisphere and Eurasia, which historically correlates with the Indian monsoon.
Director general of IMD, Mrutyunjay Mohapatra, said that below-normal monsoon rainfall is expected in northeast India, while normal to above-normal rainfall is predicted for northwest, central, and south peninsular regions.
Mohapatra emphasized that the core monsoon zone, covering states such as Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Odisha, Chhattisgarh, Uttar Pradesh, and West Bengal, is likely to receive rainfall exceeding 106 per cent of the long-period average. This prediction comes as a significant relief, especially for agricultural communities reliant on rain-fed farming practices.
Additionally, Mohapatra highlighted the likelihood of normal rainfall in June, with conditions favorable for the onset of the monsoon over Kerala in the coming days. While most parts of southern peninsular India may experience normal to above-normal maximum temperatures in June, he cautioned that the spatial and temporal distribution of rainfall may vary across the country.
The announcement of above-normal monsoon rainfall offers hope for alleviating the impact of the prevailing heatwave and drought-like conditions in certain regions. However, climate scientists caution that climate change may exacerbate the variability of rain-bearing systems, leading to more frequent droughts and floods.
The monsoon plays a pivotal role in India’s agricultural landscape, with over half of the net cultivated area relying on it. Moreover, it is crucial for replenishing reservoirs essential for drinking water and power generation across the nation.
Mohapatra also mentioned the prevailing El Nino conditions, which are associated with weaker monsoon winds and drier conditions in India. However, scientists anticipate the onset of La Nina by August-September, which typically brings plentiful rainfall during the monsoon season.
Furthermore, the development of a positive Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD) is anticipated, which can enhance rainfall in southern India. The IMD also noted the inverse relationship between below-normal snow cover in the northern hemisphere and Eurasia, which historically correlates with the Indian monsoon.
