At 96%, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted a “near-normal" monsoon in 2019. El Niño conditions occur as temperatures rise in the equatorial region of the Pacific Ocean, which impacts global weather. The IMD has predicted a near-normal monsoon seven times in the past 10 years, but those calls were correct only on three occasions. However, Skymet and several international forecasts predict a slow start to the monsoon because of El Niño. But in the past, El Niño conditions have had unpredictable and uneven impact on monsoon, with even a year of weak intensity wreaking havoc.

Source: Mint May 05, 2019 19:30 UTC