It comes as a huge sigh of relief for people in the country as Skymet Weather forecasts that southwest monsoon in 2018 is expected to be normal at 100 percent of the Long Period Average (LPA), with a model error of plus and minus 5 percent of 887 mm for the four-month period from June to September. Skymet further predicted that there is no possibility of a big nationwide drought or deficient rainfall when the total cumulative seasonal rainfall across the country falls below 90 per cent of LPA.

There is 80 per cent chance of the southwest monsoon to be normal (between 96-104 per cent of the LPA) this year. An early arrival of rains is also expected in the Northeast India. Monsoon in East Indian parts, including states like West Bengal, Orissa, Bihar and Jharkhand, will receive good rainfall. However, Skymet has predicted lesser rains in Guwahati, Shillong, and Itanagar.

As per reports, the monsoon last year after making a steady start in June and July, went on a break in August and also till early September which pulled down the total cumulative seasonal rainfall. Things surely look bright with Skymet's positive forecasts on monsoon.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Apr 04, 2018 12:19 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).