IMD, Skymet differ on monsoon

nNEWDELHI: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Saturday reiterated the monsoon is likely to arrive in Kerala only around June 1 after private weather forecaster Skymet Weather announced it has already arrived in the state earlier than expected. It called the forecaster’s information incorrect. Skymet maintained the criteria including for the rainfall has been met.

IMD director general M Mohapatra said the criteria is yet to be met. “We have a very objective way of assessing monsoon onset and we stand by our forecast of monsoon onset around June 1. It could be June 1 or 2 depending on the parameters... Even the rainfall criteria have not been met today [Saturday].”

Skymet Weather’s vice president (climate and meteorology) Mahesh Palawat said they have over a hundred automatic weather stations in Kerala. “...we are seeing that the rainfall criteria has been met...imd may declare monsoon onset later but we announced today [Saturday] because all parameters are fulfilled.”

Union earth sciences ministry secretary M Rajeevan echoed Mohapatra. “...Monsoon has not arrived over Kerala. Follow Indiametdept for authentic information. The greatest enemy of knowledge is not ignorance, it is illusion of knowledge—stephen Hawking,” he tweeted.

National Weather Forecasting Centre head K Sathi Devi said it is not only rainfall, even the wind depth parameter has to be met. “The wind speed should be very high and there should be a lot of clouding. We are expecting a lowpressure area to form over the south-east Arabian Sea which will lead to all parameters being met. Currently, what we are seeing in Kerala are pre-monsoon showers.”

IMD’S forecasts provide information to at least 700 million people in India, who are dependent on agriculture for livelihood.