IMD monsoon forecast due on Thursday

PUNE: The monsoon forecast of the India Meteorology Department (IMD) this year will be a silent affair due to the ongoing elections in the country. Instead of making the forecast public at a press conference in New Delhi, the IMD will put it on its website on Thursday.

The regional climate centre of IMD in its March forecast has already expressed fear of drier than normal conditions during July. The Regional Climate Centre of IMD is currently holding South Asian Climate Outlook Forum (SASCOF -5) in Pune where it will come out with a consensus forecast for south Asia on Wednesday.

IMD head LS Rathore, who inaugurated SASCOF-5 in Pune on Tuesday said that India’s national forecasting agency has to focus on capacity development of users for use of IMD products. “Traders are well equipped to make most of the weather information while farmers have no skill to consume it, said LS Rathore, head of India Meteorology Department (IMD). To reach out to the users for better utilisation of its products, IMD is thinking about engaging NGOs and other intermediaries.