'Monsoon expected to be below normal'

Monsoon is expected to be below normal in 2014 at 93 percent of the average rainfall, Minister of Earth Sciences Jitendra Singh said Monday.

"Rainfall over the country as a whole for the 2014 southwest monsoon season is likely to be below normal at 93 percent of the average rainfall," he said at a press conference here.

According to him, the region-wise seasonal rainfall too will be affected.

"Region-wise, the seasonal rainfall is likely to be 85 percent of the average over northwest India," he said.

As India's northwest region includes the green belt -- Punjab and Haryana, this below rainfall phenomenon is likely to affect this belt.

The four-month-long monsoon arrived a day late in Kerala June 6.

Once the southwest monsoon sets in over Kerala, it advances northwards and covers the entire country by July 15.