After 2 Years Of Drought, Normal Monsoon Forecast For 2016

New Delhi: The monsoon in 2016 will be normal or in excess, the meteorological department or IMD forecast today, bringing relief to the 10 states that are suffering from the worst drought in decades.

Rains in 2016 would be between 104 and 110 per cent of the long-term average, LS Rathore, chief of the Indian Meteorological Department or IMD told the media today.

The chance of an excess monsoon was 94 per cent, Mr Rathore said. The normalcy was because El Nino weather pattern, which leads to dry spells in South Asia, is fading and is being replaced by La Nina, he said, whose effects are opposite to El Nino.

The monsoon, Mr Rathore said, will be fairly distributed across India, but less than normal rain can be expected in north-east India, Tamil Nadu and Telengana.

On the other hand, in Marathwada, which is suffering from the worst drought in 70 years, monsoon will be better than normal. Central India too, will receive better than average rains, the met department said.

Over the last two years, rains have been deficient. This time, several states are reeling under unprecedented water scarcity and dams are running dry at the beginning of what promises to be a hotter than average summer.

In Maharashtra -- where water is being ferried by train to Latur -- the crisis has sparked a lawsuit against IPL cricket matches. The high court is hearing a petition that questions the wisdom of maintaining cricket pitches with lakhs of litres of water when people are going thirsty.

The announcement from the weather office brought widespread relief. "Farm production is expected to be better in 2016-17 on account of the above normal monsoon," said Agriculture Minister said Radha Mohan Singh.

"This should be good for the country, good for economy and good for farmers," Science Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan told NDTV.