IMD South-West Monsoon Forecast Will Provide Clarity On El Nino Weather Pattern

According to a private forecaster, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, and Maharashtra may experience a lack of rain in the northern and central regions of the nation during the main monsoon months of July and August.

Devendra Fadnavis, the deputy chief minister of Maharashtra, stated on Monday that the final report on the south-west monsoon forecast will be released by the India Meteorological Department later this month. This report will show whether or not the El Nino weather pattern will have an impact on the June-September rains, resulting in insufficient precipitation.

Speaking to reporters in Amravati, in the Vidarbha area, he stated that the state administration has already begun making plans to deal with any crisis that may arise from a potential lack of monsoon rains.

Due to the conclusion of La Nina conditions and the potential for El Nino to take hold, India is likely to have below-average monsoon rainfall this year, with a 20% chance of drought, according to a private forecasting firm earlier in the day.

Fadnavis said, “The IMD has 5 to 6 models to analyse weather observations. Some of them indicate there could be an influence of the El Nino weather pattern which would adversely affect rainfall in the state in the upcoming monsoon season. The IMD is going to release its final forecast after April 21. That report will clear doubts about the monsoon.” El Nino, which is the warming of the waters in the Pacific Ocean near South America, is associated with weakening of monsoon winds and less rainfall in India.

Asked about administrative plans to tackle any adverse situation, Fadnavis, who holds the finance and planning portfolio, said, “The state government has already started preparations anticipating a shortfall in precipitation. We are preparing ourselves on how to face the situation, what measures can be taken in case of a water shortage.” The government has formed a committee to look into these issues, said the deputy chief minister.

Asked about farmers repaying their crop loans regularly getting Rs 50,000 aid from the government, Fadnavis said, “15.5 lakh farmers have applied for this one-time benefit of Rs 50,000. Of these, the validation of documents has been completed for 12.5 lakh applicants.

“The scrutiny of papers for another one lakh farmers is almost done. However, the rest of the farmers have not submitted all the required details which is delaying disbursements.”

-With PTI Inputs

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