Monsoon onset over Andaman around May 20: IMD

New Delhi: The Southwest Monsoon is likely to arrive over the Andaman & Nicobar Islands around May 20, said the India Meteorological Department (IMD) in its extended range forecast.

“Southwest monsoon onset likely over parts of the south Bay of Bengal, Andaman Sea & Andaman & Nicobar Islands towards the end of week 2,” it said.

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India is expected to receive below-average monsoon rainfall this year, sparking concerns about production of pulses and oilseeds during the main planting season that could have an impact on consumption and inflation.

Monsoon rainfall from June to September will be ‘below normal’ and is likely to be 92% of the long period average (LPA), the weather office said in its earlier forecast.

Southwesterly winds in the lower and middle tropospheric levels from the Bay of Bengal to Northeast India are likely to prevail during the week, it added.

Overall, rainfall is likely to be above normal over the southern, eastern, and northeastern parts of the country; below normal over the Western Himalayan region and near normal over the rest of the country, the weather office said.

For major monsoon (kharif) crops like paddy, cotton, pulses and oilseeds, the distribution and timing of rainfall are critical as variability of precipitation could influence sowing decisions. The kharif season, which starts in June, accounts for more than half of India’s food-grain production and its outcome is crucial for food inflation.

The IMD said many parts of the country are most likely to face below-normal rainfall. Some areas over Northeast, Northwest and South Peninsular India are likely to see normal to above-normal rainfall.