September could see more rains than August: IMD

New Delhi: India is likely to receive above-normal rainfall during the second half of the monsoon season (August-September) with rainfall expected to be more than 106% of Long Period average (LPA), according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD).While rainfall in the month of August over the entire country is expected to be within the normal range of 94-106% of LPA, September is expected to receive excess rainfall which may not augur well for kharif crops (rice, maize, millet, sugarcane, ragi, pulses, soybean, groundnut), some of which are harvested starting September-October.

La Nina conditions are likely to set in around the end of August which are good for rainfall, said Mrutyunjay Mohapatra, Director General of Meteorology, IMD citing reasons for more rainfall in September than in August.

In August 2024, normal to above normal rainfall is likely over many parts of the country, except many areas in southern parts of central and adjoining northern peninsular India, northeast and adjoining areas of east India, some parts of northwest and south peninsular India, where below normal rainfall is likely.

During the second half of the monsoon season, normal to above normal rainfall is most likely over most parts of the country except many parts of northeast and adjoining areas of east India, Ladakh, Saurashtra & Kutch, and some isolated pockets of central and peninsular India where below normal rainfall is likely.