The India Meteorological Department (IMD) announced that the country’s June-September monsoon, which is the lifeblood of the world’s 3rd-largest economy, will be normal this year.
The IMD’s prediction could boost India’s economic growth and farm production in the run-up to the general election in 2019.
IMD’s chief KJ Ramesh said the country will get its third successive normal monsoon in 2018 at 97% of the long-period average. IMD sees less probability of a deficient monsoon in the country.
According to the IMD’s classification, the monsoon is normal if the rain is between 96-104% of the 50-year average of 89 cm.
The IMD will issue another forecast in June.
In 2018, the threat of El Nino, which is a weather glitch known to disrupt the monsoon, is absent.