Monsoon likely to be normal this year: Govt

New Delhi: India's monsoon is likely to be normal this year, Science and Technology Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh said here on Thursday. 

'India Meteorological Department's long range forecast for the 2012 southwest monsoon season (June-September) is that the rainfall for the country as a whole is most likely to be normal, which is between 96 to 104 percent of the long period average," said Deshmukh. 

The MET department added that the probability of the monsoon being below par was just 24 percent. The El Nino weather conditions, associated with below-normal rains, may come into play in the later part of the season. 

Many parts of North India recently witnessed rains and thunderstorms. But, as per the MET department the present weather conditions will not affect onset of monsoon. 

The monsoon season lasts in the country for about 4 months from June to September and it accounts for almost 90% of India’s annual rainfall. Also, 60% of agricultural produce in India is dependent on the rains for irrigation. India receives 89 cm of rainfall on an average during this season. 

If the predictions are on target then India is due for normal rains third year in a row. For the past two years rains have been normal in India. Normal monsoon also results in an increase in the sale of tractors and fertilisers. 

With farmers still dependent on rains in most parts of the country for cultivation, a good rainfall during this period is vital for the agricultural output, which is the prime driver of our economy. India is world's second-biggest producer of rice, wheat, sugar and cotton.