New Delhi: On Tuesday, the Met Department revised its forecast from 93 per cent to 88 per cent Long Period Average (LPA), with north-west region of the country expected to be hit the most. In April, the IMD had forecast that monsoon rains would be 93 percent of the average, which is categorised as “below normal”. Now, with the projection of 88 per cent, the monsoon is categorised as “deficient”.
“We have been working to ensure that the forecast is right. But this time let’s pray to God that the revised forecast does not come true,” said the minister.
On whether it could be a drought year, Mr Vardhan said his department only predicts about the weather and refused to go into other aspects. However, an internal note circulated ahead of the cabinet secretary meeting with all stakeholders on Tuesday, the government quoted IMD statistics that there is a 68 per cent probability of below rainfall and el Nino effect to drive home the point that this year several states may face a ‘’drought ‘’ situation.
