The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has in its second stage report largely kept its forecast for the monsoon unchanged from its earlier reading.
According to reports, the country is set to receive above normal monsoon rains this year with a long period average of 106 percent.
It is said that the El Nino conditions have turned 'neutral to negative' and La Nina conditions are likely to develop in the second half of the monsoon. The monsoon during June-September is likely to be above-normal.
The rainfall this year will be 106 percent of the long period average, the MeT said.
The MeT also reported the rainfall in July to be at 107 percent of long period average and 104 percent in August.
It added that rainfall in the second half of June would be better than the first half.
Region wise, the seasonal rainfall is likely to be 108 percent of long period average (LPA) over north-west, 113 percent over central and southern India, and 94 percent over eastern India, said IMD director general L.S. Rathore.
The IMD has estimated June 1 as the normal date for the arrival of the monsoon over the southern coast, based on rainfall data of over 100 years.
