Monsoon expected to be below normal, says earth sciences minister

New Delhi, June 9: Monsoon is expected to be below

in 2014 at 93 percent of the average

, Minister of Earth Sciences Jitendra Singh said Monday.

"Rainfall over the country as a whole for the 2014 southwest monsoon season is likely to be below normal at 93 percent of the average rainfall," he said at a press conference here.

[Read: Monsoon covers all of Kerala]

According to him, the region-wise seasonal rainfall too will be affected.

"Region-wise, the seasonal rainfall is likely to be 85 percent of the average over northwest India," he said.

As India's northwest region includes the green belt -- Punjab and Haryana, this below rainfall phenomenon is likely to affect this belt.

The four-month-long monsoon arrived a day late in Kerala June 6. Heavy rainfall, exceeding 7 cm, is predicted in isolated places in Kerala and Lakshadweep till June 12, a bulletin issued by the Meterological Centre here said on Monday.

Once the southwest monsoon sets in over Kerala, it advances northwards and covers the entire country by July 15.

IANS