Union Minister for Earth Sciences Dr. Harsh Vardhan on Friday assured that the metrological departments’ prediction of a below average monsoon should not be a cause for panic, adding that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has instructed all departments to be prepared for any situation arising out of low rainfall.
“The way the media has interpreted [the forecast] has unfortunately spread panic. There is nothing to worry, it is just a bit below normal, but it is a procedure to periodically give out the predictions. Predictions are important so that we are mentally prepared. Our Prime Minister had told all the departments before the predictions to be ready. There is no need to panic,” Harsh Vardhan told media persons.
The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) had on Tuesday updated its monsoon forecast, suggesting a dip in the monsoon with a fall to 88 percent from the 93 percent predicted earlier.
The monsoon was expected to make landfall in Kerala by May 30, but that date was later revised to June 5. If the weather conditions adhere to the predictions, then India will witness a sub-par monsoon
for the second successive year. (ANI)