New Delhi, Aug. 18 -- Private weather forecaster Skymet Weather on Monday issued a revised forecast for the southwest monsoon, stating it now expects monsoon rainfall to be 85% of the long period average (LPA), with a 70% probability of drought. In its initial forecast issued in April, Skymet had forecast the monsoon to be 94% of the LPA, flagging a worsening trend, aided by a strengthening El Nino.

"Skymet foresees a 70% chance of drought and expects the seasonal rainfall to be 85% of the Long Period Average (LPA)," it said in a statement on Monday. Skymet said the remaining month of August is likely to see inequitable distribution over the four homogeneous regions of the country, with a strengthening El Nino and weak Indian Ocean Dipol...