31 August,2026 07:04 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
The IMD said strong El Nino conditions are currently prevailing over the equatorial Pacific Ocean. Representational Pic/File
India is likely to experience below-normal rainfall and warmer-than-average temperatures across much of the country in September, according to the latest monthly climate outlook issued by the India Meteorological Department (IMD).
The IMD has forecast that rainfall across India as a whole is most likely to remain below 91 per cent of the Long Period Average (LPA). The LPA for September is 167.9 mm, based on rainfall data from 1971 to 2020.
Although below-normal rainfall is expected across large parts of the country, some areas are likely to receive normal to above-normal rainfall.
These include parts of Northwest India, Northeast India, East India, East-Central India and Southeast Peninsular India.
The weather department said that a rainfall deficit could have implications for agriculture, water resource management, hydropower generation and drinking water supplies.
The country is also likely to experience warmer weather during September.
Average maximum temperatures are expected to remain above normal across most regions.
Night-time temperatures are also forecast to be above normal across most of India. However, parts of Northwest, West-Central and Northeast India may record normal to below-normal minimum temperatures.
The IMD said strong El Nino conditions are currently prevailing over the equatorial Pacific Ocean.
Sea surface temperatures remain above average over the central and eastern Pacific, with the conditions expected to strengthen further in the coming months.
El Nino is one of the major global climate factors considered while assessing seasonal weather patterns.
Meanwhile, neutral Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD) conditions are currently prevailing.
Global climate models indicate that the IOD could move towards a positive phase from September onwards, according to the IMD.
The interaction between these large-scale climate patterns will remain important for India's rainfall and temperature conditions in the coming months.
The IMD is expected to issue its outlook for the October-December Northeast Monsoon towards the end of September.
The upcoming forecast will provide further guidance on rainfall conditions during the northeast monsoon season, which is particularly important for southern and southeastern parts of the country, the officials said.
