India to get normal rains, 98% of the 50 year average: IMD
Normal rainfall is expected during the June – September southwest monsoon, according to the forecast issued by the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) on Tuesday.
The monsoon rainfall is likely to be 98% of the long period or 50 year average for the entire country, with an error margin of ± 4%.
A region wise prediction of the distribution of the monsoon shows that central India is likely to receive 100% of the long period average, the south peninsula to receive 99%, and the northeast and northwest regions 96%.
Rainfall is considered to be normal if it is between 96 and 104% of the long period average, below normal when it is between 90 and 96% and deficient when it is below 90%.
The forecast for normal monsoon were despite possibilities of the disruptive El Nino weather pattern that led to back-to-back drought in 2014 and 2015. El Nino is a weather glitch marked by an abnormal warming of the Pacific. This year, the monsoon hit Kerala coast on May 30, two days earlier than the normal arrival date of June 1.
At least 10 people have reportedly died due to the heat wave in various parts of Uttar Pradesh in the last 24-hours, an official said on Tuesday.
The number of patients with heat stroke conditions, diarrhoea, vomiting and high fever has also increased in hospitals.
Bundelkhand is the worst hit with mercury logging an average of 47°C in most districts. Officials say four people died in Bundelkhand while six children died in the Avadh region owing to the heat stroke and ‘loo’ . These deaths have been reported from Bahraich , where more than three dozen children were being treated for heat stroke. IANS