Expect above-normal monsoon rainfall in India, says South Asian experts' panel

CLIMATE experts from nine South Asian countries and other global agencies concurred on Tuesday that most parts of the South Asian region will experience above-normal rainfall during the 2024 southwest monsoon season (June - September).

-  JITENDRA CHOUBEY

They concluded that factors affecting the southwest monsoon, such as positive Indian Ocean Dipole, below-average snowfall in the Northern Hemisphere, and cooling of the eastern Pacific Ocean, are favouring the rainfall season.

The 28th session of the South Asian Climate Outlook Forum (SASCOF-28) was held at the Pune-based climate service research centre of the Indian Meteorological Department on April 29. Participants included representatives from nine South Asian countries, the World Meteorological Organization, the Met Office UK, Japan, Korea, and others.

In its statement, SASCOF states that except for some areas over northern, eastern, and north-eastern parts of the region, the rest will receive abovenormal rainfall during the 2024 southwest monsoon season.