India, May 29 -- India is likely to experience below-normal rainfall during the 2026 southwest monsoon season, according to the latest Long Range Forecast issued by the India Meteorological Department (IMD).

The weather agency has projected that the country as a whole will receive 90 per cent of the Long Period Average (LPA) rainfall during the June-September monsoon season, with a model error margin of 4 per cent. The forecast indicates a high probability of below-normal rainfall across the country during the four-month rainy season.

Region-wise, the IMD expects normal rainfall over Northeast India, ranging between 94 and 106 per cent of the LPA. However, Central India, South Peninsular India and Northwest India are likely to witness ...