IMD says monsoon likely normal despite scanty rains

New Delhi, June 22 (IANS) The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) Friday said the annual monsoon rains are most likely to be normal over the country despite the scanty rainfall so far.

In its monsoon update for June-August issued Friday, the IMD, however, reduced the expected annual rainfall from 99 percent average, issued in April, to 96 percent.

"Rainfall over the country as a whole for the 2012 southwest monsoon season (June to September) is most likely to be normal," the IMD said in a statement.

The onset of monsoon was delayed by about three days.

"It set in over Kerala June 5. The cumulative seasonal rainfall over the country as a whole during June 1-21 is 76 percent of total average rainfall," it said.

L.S. Rathore, the IMD director general, Thursday allayed fears of deficient monsoon.

"Till now monsoon rains are 26 percent deficient. But we are not worried as such delays are usual. It is ok if monsoon is delayed by a week," he said.