SW monsoon rainfall 'within normal range'

The south-west monsoon rainfall over India, Sri Lanka and five other South Asian countries is "most likely to be within the normal range" from June to September, according to the consensus statement by the South Asian Climate Outlook Forum (SASCOF) here on Friday.

The SASCOF is a sub-regional climate outlook body of the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO), devoted to specific monsoon prediction and outlook needs of countries having similar climatic characteristics. Bangladesh, Bhutan, Maldives, Myanmar, Nepal and Sri Lanka are the other six SASCOF nations where the rain-bearing systems are influenced by the Indian Ocean.

Parts of South Asia may receive below normal rains due to the possibility of the El Nino weather pattern emerging towards the second half of the monsoon season, the climate outlook said.

TOI