Monsoon forecast downgraded to 88 percent

New Delhi: India is expected to receive only 88 percent of the long-term average rainfall this year, Science and Technology Minister Harsh Vardhan said on Tuesday.

"The northwest area will receive 85 percent of the normal (average) rainfall," he added.

"The latest forecast is bothering me as the rainfall this monsoon is likely to be 88 percent - plus or minus four percent - of the normal (average) rainfall, which is down from 93 per cent in April," he remarked.

The India Meteorological Department had in April forecast 93 per cent of the average rainfall for the country.

The minister further said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi was monitoring the developments closely and had directed all the concerned ministries to make the necessary preparations and take action so that the common man was not affected.