It was 58 per cent below normal in Bengal and 23 per cent below normal in Sub-Himalayan Bengal and Sikkim. Through moisture and their wind patterns, the low-pressure systems pull the monsoon over the subcontinent,” said Mrutyunjaya Mohapatra, senior meteorologist with the IMD, New Delhi. Weather scientists say an average of 12 to 13 low-pressure systems form during the June-to-September monsoon season, with each such system accelerating the monsoon and intensifying the rainfall. It was 58 per cent below normal in Bengal and 23 per cent below normal in Sub-Himalayan Bengal and Sikkim. The IMD had in April this year predicted India would receive “near normal” monsoon rain, about 96 per cent of the long-period average rainfall.

Source: The Telegraph June 30, 2019 21:47 UTC