Indian Meteorological Department forecasts August rain at 96%

PUNE: Claiming that the progress of monsoon is almost on the predicted lines, the Union ministry of earth sciences is expecting the August rainfall to be close to the IMD prediction of 96%.

Shailesh Nayak, secretary, ministry of earth sciences, said: "Indian Meteorolgical Department (IMD) had forecast 93% rainfall in July. The deficiency till Tuesday was about 12%." He was speaking after the inauguration of the National Hindi Scientific Seminar at the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology ( IITM), Pune.

BN Goswami, director at IITM, said despite the revival in monsoon, rainfall for the season is likely to remain deficient due to the rain shortage in June and July. Nayak said, "El Nino is not the only factor to govern the Indian monsoon and there is no linear relationship between monsoon and El Nino. Our seasonal forecast models include the El Nino factor in their forecast."

From last year, IITM has been issuing extended range forecast for the next three weeks.

"This forecast has been accurate and there is good feedback about it. After taking review of its performance after the monsoon season, we will think about issuing it to the public," said Nayak.