Monsoon will be normal: SASCOF

Meteorologists from across South Asia have said that this year's monsoon rainfall over the region is most likely to be within the normal range.

This view was expressed in a consensus statement issued on the concluding day of the three-day South Asian Climate Outlook Forum (SASCOF-2) which concluded in Pune on Friday.

The statement, which was made public on the website of the Indian Meteorology department (IMD), is based on various prevailing global climate conditions and forecasts from different empirical and dynamical climate models.

However, the statement did indicate the slightly enhanced likelihood of below-normal rainfall conditions over northwestern parts and some northeastern parts of South Asia. It also pointed out the slightly enhanced likelihood of above-normal rainfall over southern parts of South Asia including the islands.

The second session of SASCOF held at Pune between April 13- 15 was preceded by a five-day (8-12 April, 2011) capacity building training workshop on 'Seasonal Prediction of Southwest Monsoon Rainfall' for participants from six South Asian countries namely Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal and Sri Lanka and was conducted at the India Meteorological Department (IMD), Pune.