New Delhi, August 01 (HS): According to the India Meteorological Department, there is a possibility of above normal rainfall in the second part of the southwest monsoon i.e. August and September in the whole country.

In an online press conference on Thursday, IMD Director General Dr. Mrityunjay Mahapatra said that Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, adjoining Himachal Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir recorded less rainfall in July. In August and September, there is a possibility of above normal rainfall in these states as well as across the country.

According to the Meteorological Department, most parts of the country are likely to receive normal to above normal rainfall in the second part of the monsoon season. Only adjoining areas of Northeast and East India, many parts of Ladakh, Saurashtra and Kutch and some isolated parts of Central and Peninsular India are likely to receive below normal rainfall. Monthly rainfall in the entire country in August is likely to remain within the normal range of 94 to 106 per cent.

With this, southern parts of central and adjoining northern peninsular India, northeastern and adjoining areas of eastern India, some parts of northwest and south peninsular India are likely to receive below normal rainfall. With this, during August, maximum temperatures are likely to be above normal in most parts of the country. Except some areas of the Gangetic plains, central India and southeastern coast of India where maximum temperatures are likely to be below normal.

According to the Meteorological Department, minimum temperatures are likely to be above normal in most parts of the country except southeastern peninsular India. At present, neutral El Nino conditions prevail 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 in late August.

Hindusthan Samachar / Indrani Sarkar / Manoj Kumar Tayal