India Set for Wet July as IMD Forecasts Above-Average Rainfall

New Delhi: India can expect above-normal rainfall in July, barring some areas in the northeast, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD). The weather agency forecasts a nationwide average surpassing 106% of the historical July average of 28.04 centimetres.

“Most parts of the country are likely to experience normal to above-normal rainfall, except for several northeastern regions and pockets in the northwest, east, and southeast peninsular India,” said IMD chief Mrutyunjay Mohapatra during a virtual press conference.

The forecast bodes well for India, which recently endured an exceptionally hot June. Northwest India specifically witnessed its hottest June since 1901. The mean temperature for the region reached 31.73°C, 1.65°C above normal. The average maximum temperature hit 38.02°C, 1.96°C above normal, while the average minimum stood at 25.44°C, 1.35°C above normal.

While the monsoon is expected to bring welcome rain, maximum temperatures are predicted to remain normal or slightly below normal across much of northwest and south India (excluding the west coast). Conversely, central, eastern, and northeastern regions along the west coast can anticipate above-normal highs. Minimum temperatures are likely to be above average throughout most of the country, with exceptions for pockets in the northwest, adjoining areas of central India, and parts of the southeast peninsula.

“We anticipate healthy monsoon showers in July. Generally, cloudy skies lead to higher minimum temperatures,” explained Mohapatra.