‘Normal’ July rain defies forecast of El Nino impact

India's July monsoon rainfall exceeded expectations, defying earlier forecasts of below-normal precipitation. This unexpected recovery eased fears of a significant monsoon shortfall for the nation. However, rainfall distribution remained uneven across different regions of the country. Experts now emphasize that El Nino alone cannot explain India's changing rainfall behaviour. Climate change is increasingly altering monsoon patterns, making predictions more complex.

By CHITTARANJAN TEMBHEKAR AND GAURAV TALWAR