IMD Predicts Normal To Above Normal Rainfall In 2nd Half Of Monsoon Season; Check Forecast For Odisha

New Delhi/Bhubaneswar: India experienced higher than normal rainfall for several regions in July which is a good sign for agriculture activity, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said on Thursday.

For the second part of monsoon, it predicted that rainfall would be more than 106 per cent.

The IMD predicted above-normal rainfall and temperatures during the second half of the southwest monsoon season (August to September) 2024.

According to the department, the rainfall would most likely be above normal (>106% of Long Period Average/LPA).

The IMD also stated the neutral condition of the El Nino phenomenon and different models suggest that La Nina is likely to develop in the second half of the monsoon season towards the end of August.

In India, El Nino is synonymous with poor monsoon whereas La Nina symbolizes bountiful monsoon.

During the August-September monsoon season, normal to above normal rainfall is most likely across the country except in many parts of northeast and adjoining areas of east India, Ladakh, Saurashtra and Kutch. Some isolated pockets of central and peninsular India are likely to receive below-normal rainfall.

However, during the August forecast, the IMD predicted the monthly rainfall across the country to be within the normal range (94 to 106% of LPA).

According to IMD, normal to above normal rainfall is likely over many parts of the country in August, except in some areas of the southern parts of central and adjoining northern peninsular India, the Northeast and adjoining areas of East India. Below-normal rainfall is expected in several parts of Northwest and South Peninsular India.

Regarding temperature, during August 2024, above-normal maximum temperatures are likely over most parts of the country, except for some areas in the Gangetic plains, central India, and the southeast coast, where normal to below-normal maximum temperatures are likely to be observed.

Even above-normal minimum temperatures are likely over most parts of the country except southeast Peninsular India, where normal to below-normal minimum temperatures are likely during August 2024.

Currently, neutral El Nino-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) conditions are prevailing in the equatorial Pacific region.

The latest forecasts from the Monsoon Mission Climate Forecasting System (MMCFS) and other climate models suggest that La Nina is likely to develop in the second half of the monsoon season towards the end of August.

Regarding Odisha, the weather agency has said that the state is likely to witness rainfall activity for the next one week. It may receive heavy rain on August 1 and 2. A yellow warning of heavy to very heavy rainfall (7 to 20 cm) has been issued for one or two places in Angul, Dhenkanal, Cuttack, Boudh, Sonepur, and Sambalpur districts.

Bhadrak, Balasore, Jajpur, Kendrapada, Jharsuguda, Bargarh, Balangir, Nuapada, Nayagarh, Khurda, Jagatsinghpur, Sundargarh, Deogarh, Keonjhar, Mayurbhanj, and Kalahandi districts of Odisha may witness heavy rain.