IMD forecasts above-normal Sep rainfall; deficit unlikely to be wiped out

September rains to be better but not enough to recoup seasonal deficiency, says IMD

After a damp-squib August, the southwest monsoon is expected to perform appreciably better in September, with rains projected to be more than 110 per cent of the long period average (LPA), but not good enough to recoup the entire seasonal deficiency.

According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the cumulative seasonal rainfall in the June-September months is now expected to be around 96 per cent of LPA - on the lower end of the ‘normal’ band.

Rainfall between 96 per cent and 104 per cent of LPA is considered normal. The LPA of the four-month monsoon season is 89 centimetres (cm). For