India sees driest August since 1901, Sept rains could be ‘normal’: IMD
After the driest August since 1901, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) held out some hope on Thursday, saying that the average rainfall in September is expected to be ‘normal’, in the range of 91-109 per cent of the long-period average (LPA) of 167.9 mm.
September accounts for about 19 per cent of the total seasonal rainfall.
Cumulatively, though, the unusually weak August month has ensured that even if the rainfall in September is towards the higher end of the band (say around 109 per cent of the LPA), the seasonal rains would be ‘below normal’. For the June-September period, rainfall between 96-104 per cent of the LPA is considered ‘normal’.
A revival of monsoon is badly needed for standing kharif crops, especially in states like Maharashtra, ...
