Why in the News?
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast below normal monsoon rainfall for 2026, mainly due to the developing El Niño conditions.
Key Highlights
- Expected rainfall: 92% of Long Period Average (LPA)
- Classification: Below Normal Monsoon
- Error margin: ±5%
- Monsoon period: June to September
- India receives over 70% of annual rainfall during this period
What is Long Period Average (LPA)
- LPA: Average rainfall during monsoon season
- Current LPA period: 1971 to 2020
- LPA rainfall: 87 cm
Monsoon Classification by IMD
- Above normal: >104% of LPA
- Normal: 96% to 104%
- Below normal: 90% to 96%
- Deficient: <90%
2026 Forecast: 92% → Below Normal
| [2011] La Niña is suspected to have caused recent floods in Australia. How is La Niña different from El Niño? 1 La Niña is characterized by unusually cold ocean temperature in the equatorial Indian Ocean whereas El Niño is characterized by unusually warm ocean temperature in the equatorial Pacific Ocean. 2 El Niño has an adverse effect on the southwest monsoon of India, but La Niña has no effect on monsoon climate. Which of the statements given above is/are correct? (a) 1 only (b) 2 only (c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2 |
