Monsoon expected to cover entire country today: IMD

“The forecast was that the Central parts of the country, the Northern plains will get very good rains during next four to five days and towards end of this week we expect the rainfall activity to increase over Peninsular India,” he said in an interview to CNBC-TV18.

He further adds that the monsoon deficiency in Central India is not a concern, and that they do not for any problems with crops for farmers.

Below is an edited transcript of his interview with Udayan Mukherjee and Mitali Mukherjee. Also watch the accompanying video.

Q: Can you just take us through what specific improvement you have noted in the last three or four days and whether you expect more later this week?

A: The deficiency has been reduced to 23% from 31% about a week ago. The main areas where improvement has taken place is Central India and parts of Peninsula. Also, the Western parts of the country that includes Gujarat and Eastern parts of Rajasthan have received heavy rains during last two days. So deficiency will be reduced to great extent.

Q: What is the guidance from the MET now for the next week or so both in terms of advance and whether this entire 20% shortfall as well will be made up for July?

A: Outlook for the week is that monsoon is expected to cover the entire country by today itself. Some parts of Rajasthan and Gujarat only are left to be covered and they will be covered in next 24 hours.

The forecast was that the Central parts of the country, the Northern plains will get very good rains during next four to five days and towards end of this week we expect the rainfall activity to increase over Peninsular India. So some parts of peninsula which are lacking in rain will also make up during the coming week.