June rains among worst since 1901: Met office

May not impact farm output if July sees recovery, say experts

The 2014 southwest monsoon completed its first month in India this year. It recorded one of the worst performances in about 100 years.

According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), rain in June was 43 per cent below normal, the lowest since 2009, and among the weakest since 1901.

In 1901, 1926 and 2009 rain in June was lower than this year, data from the IMD showed.

Reuters quoted B P Yadav, head of the National Weather Forecasting Centre at IMD, saying, "We expect the monsoon to recover in three to four days as signs of revival are visible over the Bay of Bengal."

Private company Skymet Weather Services said rains could hit the national capital and parts of the north by the end of the week.

The monsoon was to hit the national capital by June 29, but has been delayed by a week. Experts said low June rains may not have a big impact on farm output if these recover in July, crucial for sowing, which gets the most rain during the four-month period.

This year, the monsoon covered half the country four days behind schedule following a late start. Its progress towards the grain bowl belt of northwest India is late by up to 10 days.

The Met office in its second-stage forecast had said cumulative rain will be below normal at 93 per cent of the long period average, the average rain since 1951.