Rains may be below normal this year: Met dept

Monsoon over the country is expected to be below normal this year, the weather department said today.

"The situation is not alarming," B Lal, Director General of the Meterological Department, said.

As per the long-range forecast for 2006, the rainfall for the country is likely to be 93% of the average. The probability of rainfall being deficient is only 22%, Lal added.