New Delhi, Aug 13 (IANS): The India Meteorological Department (IMD) stands by its forecast of the country receiving only 88 percent of the long-term average rainfall this year, parliament was told on Thursday.

"The Earth System Science Organisation-IMD (ESSO-IMD) stands by its seasonal long range forecast of monsoon 2015 issued in June 2015, which was 88 percent," Minister of State for Science and Technology and Earth Science Y.S. Chowdary told the Rajya Sabha in a written reply.

"Government is aware that a private agency has predicted seasonal rainfall of 102 percent, whereas ESSO-IMD has predicted 88 percent deficient rainfall. The cumulative rainfall received so far (June 1 to Aug 7, 2015) is 93 percent. As about two more months are left for the present monsoon season to complete, it will be early to say which forecast is accurate," he added.

Chowdhary said that the actual rainfall in July was 84 percent which is well within the forecast range issued by ESSO-IMD model and far off the target of the forecast issued by the private agency.

"Government is closely and continuously monitoring the rainfall situation over the country." he said.