Monsoon to weaken in second half of August: IITM Forecast

PUNE: Monsoon activity will weaken over north-west India after staying active for about one more week, according to Pune-based Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology ( IITM).

Rainfall will be restricted to the peninsular and north east India in the second half of August, says the extended range forecast issued for next about 25 days.

Based on the initial conditions of August 9, the IITM forecast expects the monsoon to be active over north-west India till August 14.

The experimental extended range forecast of IITM started from last year has so far achieved good accuracy and the ministry of earth sciences plans to incorporate these forecasts into the India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecasts in due course of time.

As per IMD data, north-west India has reported highest rain deficiency of 32% this monsoon season till August 6. East and north-east India, south India and central India had deficiency of 26%, 16% and 4%, respectively. So far, 42% area of the country has had deficient rainfall.