Daijiworld Media Network – New Delhi
New Delhi, Aug 1: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast above-normal rainfall across the country for the second half of the monsoon season, offering a positive outlook for the agricultural sector and water reservoirs.
Addressing the media on Thursday, IMD Director General Mrutyunjay Mohapatra stated that cumulative rainfall during August and September is expected to be 106% of the Long Period Average (LPA) of 422.8 mm.
"Rainfall will be normal in August and above normal in September. Together, these two months will record above-normal rainfall," said Mohapatra.
While most parts of the country are likely to experience good monsoon showers, the IMD has indicated possible deficient rainfall in some parts of the North-East, adjoining East India, isolated pockets of Central India, and the southwestern peninsula.
On the temperature front, August is expected to see maximum temperatures ranging from normal to below normal, while minimum temperatures will remain normal to above normal across the country.
India registered a 4.8% surplus rainfall in July, receiving 294.1 mm against the normal of 280.5 mm. The cumulative rainfall from June 1 to July 31 stood at 474.3 mm, marking a 6% increase over the norm.
Despite this, Mohapatra pointed out a concerning trend in the Eastern and North-Eastern regions, which saw only 312.3 mm of rainfall in July — the seventh lowest since 1901 and fourth lowest since 2001. “There was no widespread flooding, except in Himachal Pradesh which witnessed landslides,” he added.
In a noteworthy development, the IMD is set to roll out a Block-Wise Rainfall Monitoring Scheme (BRMS). The new system will deliver real-time rainfall data across 7,200 administrative blocks, offering ten times more spatial resolution than the current district-wise system.
“This indigenous initiative will greatly enhance the granularity and practical utility of rainfall data,” Mohapatra emphasized.
With the second half of the monsoon season showing promise, the IMD’s projections bring hope to farmers and policymakers amid growing concerns over climate variability and water resource management.