As the country prepares for the harvest season in the ongoing corona crisis, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) will issue its first stage monsoon forecast for the country on April 15 (Tuesday). The forecast will give a clear indication of this year’s monsoon rainfall during June-September. The four-month monsoon season is from June 1 to September 30.
According to the IMD, more definite picture will emerge through second stage forecast in last week of May or in first week of June. June 1 is the onset date for monsoon over Kerala and it is likely to remain the same but the IMD will change the reference dates for some states and cities.
The Japanese and South Korean models have retained their outlook for a reasonably good monsoon for India, with the former betting on a moderately positive Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD) nearer home to continue. One of the strongest positive IOD events had last year driven the 2019 monsoon to a multi-year high, even delaying its withdrawal from the country and delivering rainfall of 110 per cent.
As per the IMD, after 1994 (110% of Long Period Average (LPA)), rainfall received in 2019 (110 % of LPA) is the highest season rainfall received by the country as a whole.
The Centre has granted certain exemptions for the agriculture sector.