Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) reported that the rainfall during the season’s second half (August-September) will likely be 100% of LPA with a model error of +/-8%, and for the season as a whole 96% (+/-4%). The Monsoon precipitation intensified in July, allowing overall rainfall to be 104% of the benchmark Long Period Average (LPA) for the month and further acceleration in farming activities.
Daily Current Affairs Quiz 2020
Key-Points
Long Period Average is the average rainfall recorded during the months from June to September, calculated during the 50-year period, and is kept as a benchmark while forecasting the quantitative rainfall for the monsoon season every year.
IMD maintains an independent LPA for every homogeneous region of the country, which ranges from 71.6 cm to 143.83 cm.
This year increased rainfall is attributed to the commencement of La Nina like conditions by the second half of the monsoon season.
IMD maintains five rainfall distribution categories on an all-India scale. These are:
- Normal or Near Normal: When per cent departure of actual rainfall is +/-10% of LPA, that is, between 96-104% of LPA.
- Below Normal: When departure of actual rainfall is less than 10% of LPA that is 90-96% of LPA.
- Above Normal: When actual rainfall is 104-110% of LPA.
- Deficient: When departure of actual rainfall is less than 90% of LPA.
- Excess: When departure of actual rainfall is more than 110% of LPA.
