India's monsoon rains seen at average levels in 2018: Skymet

India is expected to receive normal rainfall in the June-Sept monsoon season this year although parts of southern and northeastern India are at risk of deficient rain, private forecaster Skymet said.

Rainfall is expected to be 100% of the long-period average (LPA) of 87 cm, which is the average rainfall between 1951 and 2000, it said. While the India Meteorological Department (IMD) is yet to declare its monsoon forecast for 2018, a senior official has said that strong showers are expected in June.

“Monsoon 2018 is likely to remain normal at 100% (with an error margin of +/-5%) of the long period average,” Skymet Weather said on Wednesday.


The Southwest monsoon in India lasts between June and September and is the lifeline of Indian agriculture as many farms do not have irrigation facilities. Monsoon rainfall also fills up reservoirs that irrigate fields in the rest of the year and provide drinking water.