India’s monsoon rains could be below average in 2015 due to an impact of El Nino weather pattern, which can bring on a dry spell in the region, the weather office said on Wednesday.
Rains are expected to be 93 percent of a long-term average, Earth Science Minister Harsh Vardhan said, after releasing the forecast of the India Meteorological Department.
India’s weather office defines average, or normal, rainfall as between 96 percent and 104 percent of a 50-year average of 89 cm for the entire four-month season.
Monsoon will be 93 per cent of the Long Period Average (LPA) while 35 per cent probability of monsoon staying below normal has been predicted. The Cabinet Secretariat and the Prime Minister’s office have been informed about the forecast so that they can gear up for future possibilities
– Earth Sciences Minister Harsh Vardhan
However, no conformation was given as to whether it will be a drought like situation this year. Last year, India experienced deficient rainfall with 88 per cent of the LPA with states in North-West region like Rajasthan, Haryana, Delhi NCR and Western UP being affected.
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