Prediction for above average Rainfall during Monsoon During the current year (2016), above normal rainfall has been predicted by India Meteorological Department (IMD) as per the following: Quantitatively, the monsoon seasonal rainfall is likely to be 106% of the Long Period Average (LPA) with a model error of ? 5%. The LPA of the seasonal rainfall over the country as a whole for the period 1951-2000 is 89 cm. IMD has a well-established early warning system for monitoring and warning of severe weather events and associated heavy rainfall. Accordingly, watch/ alerts/ warnings of severe weather are issued regularly. IMD is also providing its location specific now casting weather service across the country. This service activity currently covers 180 urban centres under which now cast of severe weather (Thunderstorms; heavy rainfall from lows/depressions over the land) in 3-6 hrs. range is issued. Origin, development/movement of severe weather phenomena are regularly monitored through Doppler Weather Radars (DWRs) and with all available other observing systems (Automatic Weather Station-AWSs; Automatic Rain Gauge - ARGs; Automatic Weather Observing Systems-AWOS; satellite derived wind vectors, temperature, moisture fields etc.). Heavy rainfall warnings are issued to the relevant district administration, state & central government agencies and relief authorities, as well as communicated to the public through radio, newspapers and internet. Regular meetings are conducted with all State & Central Government agencies including IMD by National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) to review monsoon rainfall situation across the country. Upon prediction of heavy rainfall conditions by the IMD, various state governments have a system of giving wide publicity and also put in place effective emergency response systems for minimizing adverse impacts. This was stated by the Minister of State for Science & Technology and Earth Sciences, Shri Y.S.Chowdary in a written reply to a question in the Rajya Sabha today.
