New Delhi: India is anticipated to experience a standard monsoon season in 2024, as stated by private weather forecasting agency Skymet on Tuesday. This projection comes as a welcome reprieve following forecasts of an above-average number of heat wave days in the summer leading up to the June-September rainy season.
According to Skymet, monsoon rains are projected to reach 102% of the long-period average of 868.6 mm over the four-month period. This prediction offers hope for adequate precipitation across the nation.
The Indian Meteorological Department has warned that during the April-June period, several regions of the country could encounter 10-20 heat wave days, a notable increase from the typical four to eight days.
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India’s agricultural landscape heavily relies on the annual June-September rains, particularly in regions devoid of irrigation facilities. These rains are crucial for the cultivation of staple crops such as rice, corn, sugarcane, cotton, and soybeans.
Jatin Singh, the managing director of Skymet, emphasized the shift from El Nino to La Nina, stating, “El Nino is swiftly flipping over to La Nina. And, monsoon circulation inclines to be stronger during La Nina years.” This transition is expected to contribute to a more robust monsoon circulation, potentially leading to favorable rainfall patterns.
Skymet anticipates “sufficiently good rains” in the southern, western, and northwestern regions of India. Notably, states like Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh in the north collectively form the agricultural heartland of northern India.
