IMD sees 'near-normal' monsoon; Skymet says 'below average'

 The India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Monday predicted the monsoon to be "near-normal" this year with an expected rainfall of 96 per cent, on the other hand, the Skymet Weather has claimed that the monsoon is likely to be "below normal" to the extent of 93 per cent.

Speaking to IANS, Mahesh Palawat, Vice president Meteorology and Climate Change at the Skymet Weather, said the impact of El Nino will be more in June and July, but it will reduce by August and September. 

"According to Skymet Weather, the monsoon is likely to be "below normal" to the tune of 93 per cent, with an error margin of +/-5 per cent, of the Long Period Average (LPA) of 887 mm for the four-month period from June to September," he said.

While the IMD has predicted two per cent probability of "excess" rainfalls and 10 per cent for "above normal" rainfall, the Skymet predicted zero per cent chances for both. -IANS