India likely to receive below-normal rainfall this year

The Monsoon outlook for India looks weak this year, the Indian Meteorological Department said in its latest forecast.Monsoon rains, affected by an El Niño, are likely to be below average in 2026 for the first time in three years.The monsoon is expected to reach 90% of the ?long-period average this year.

“The southwest monsoon seasonal rainfall over the country as a whole is likely to be 90% of the long period average (LPA) with a model error of +4%, indicating below normal or less rainfall is most likely,” the IMD presented in a press briefing on Friday.

Northeast India is expected to see normal rains, while northwest, central and south peninsular India are projected to experience below-normal monsoon rains, according to IMD.

The India Meteorological Department defines normal rainfall ‌as ?being between 96% and 104% of a 50-year average of 87 cm (35 inches) for the four-month season.India's economy depends heavily on the monsoon rains, as they cover almost 70% of the country's rainfall needs to refill aquifers ?and reservoirs.