60% chance of deficient monsoon as IMD downgrades rain forecast

NEW DELHI: Even as India faces energy disruptions due to the West Asia crisis, more trouble could be looming for the economy. IMD on Friday confirmed its forecast of 'below normal' monsoon rainfall this year while further downgrading the extent of rains during the June-Sept season, with a high probability of 'deficient' rainfall, also known as a drought year.

60% chance of deficient monsoon as IMD downgrades rain forecast. NEW DELHI: Even as India faces energy disruptions due to the West Asia crisis, more trouble could be looming for the economy. IMD on Friday confirmed its forecast of 'below normal' monsoon rainfall this year while further downgrading the extent of rains during the June-Sept season, with a high probability of 'deficient' rainfall, also known as a drought year. Rainfall during the season is likely to be 90% of long period average (LPA) - revised down from 92% predicted in April - with a 60% chance of 'deficient' rainfall (less than 90% of LPA), according to IMD, a situation that may not just impact the farm sector but also negatively affect water reservoirs, groundwater recharge and hydro-power potential, triggering crises at multiple levels. IMD attributed the monsoon downgra...