New Delhi, May 31: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted nationwide "normal" rainfall in the upcoming Monsoon season. The weather body, in a release issued on Friday, said 96 per cent of the average longtime rainfall is expected to be witnessed in the four-month period from June to September.

As per the IMD terminology, rainfall between 96 per cent to 104 per cent of the long period average (LPA) -- calculated over the last 50 years -- is said to be normal. The Met department had in April predicted "near normal" rainfall.

"Quantitatively, Monsoon season rainfall for the country as a whole is likely to be 96 per cent of the LPA with a model error of ±4 per cent," claims the latest prediction by IMD.

"Region wise, the season rainfall is likely to be 94 per cent of LPA over North-West India, 100 per cent of LPA over Central India, 97 per cent of LPA over South Peninsula and 91 per cent of LPA over North East India all with a model error of ± 8 per cent," it further adds.

The monthly rainfall over the country as whole is likely to be 95 per cent of its LPA during July and 99 per cent of LPA during August both with a model error of ± 9 per cent.

The current weak El Niño conditions over Pacific are likely to continue during the monsoon season with some possibility of these conditions to turn to neutral ENSO conditions during the latter part of the monsoon season.

IMD will issue forecast for the rainfall during the second half of the season in the end of July 2019.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on May 31, 2019 05:02 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).