New Delhi, April 3: Monsoon, which holds key to the prospects of 70 per cent of the nation whose agriculture-linked occupation is dependent on the quantum of rainfall, could be inadequate this year. In a fresh forecast issued by Skymet Weather, the private agency said that the nation could brace for below normal rains in the June-September period of 2019.

The forecast, released on Wednesday, said the rainfall in the four-month period could be 90-95 per cent of the long-time average. This quantum of downpour is technically categorised as "below normal". Delhi: Rain Gives Respite from Soaring Mercury, Air Quality Remains in Moderate.

Jatin Singh, managing director of Skymet, said the El Nino current in the Pacific Ocean has turned stronger as compared to two months ago. As per the projection, there is 80 per cent chance of El Nino in March-May, which would drop to 60 per cent during June-August.

“This means, it is going to be a devolving El Nino year, though retaining threshold values all through the season. Thus, monsoon 2019 is likely to be below normal," he added.

This is the second major prediction released by Skymet weather for Monsoon 2019. In February this year, the agency had forecasted a "normal" rainfall in the upcoming season.

The India Meteorological Survey (IMD), the official weather body, is yet to release its pre-Monsoon forecast. However, a top IMD official had last month claimed that rains this year would be "robust and healthy" due to the El Nino phenomenon on expected lines.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Apr 03, 2019 06:23 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).