India set to receive above normal rains this monsoon, says IMD

India Meterological Department boss Mrutyunjay Mohapatra on Monday announced that the heatwave currently affecting large swathes of North India would likely abate over the next three days.

"Expect relief from the heat wave in northwest and central parts of the country after three days due to a western disturbance and moisture incursion from the Arabian Sea. There could be some thunderstorm activity in northwest India and rain in the western Himalayan region," Mohapatra said in a virtual press conference.

The IMD chief's statements come alongside the weather office's predictions for the monsoon season. The IMD expects Central India to see above normal monsoon in 2024, with the entire country set to recieve above average rains, this season.


"La Nina weather conditions are seen developing during July-September," the weather agency said, adding that India is "likely to experience normal rainfall (92-108% of long period average of 166.9 mm) in June."

The weather agency further added that the conditions for monsoon onset over Kerala are favourable and will likely take place over the next five days.

"India's monsoon core zone comprising most of the rain-fed agriculture areas likely to receive above normal rainfall," the IMD said in its bulletin.

"Below-normal monsoon rainfall predicted in northeast India, normal in northwest, and above normal in central and south peninsular India," it added.

With regards to tempratures, the IMD said India would see "normal to above-normal maximum temperatures in June."