Wed Jul 02 00:20:00 UTC 2025: Okay, here’s a news article based on the provided text:
**Headline: India Braces for ‘Above Normal’ Monsoon Rainfall in July, Several States on Alert**
**NEW DELHI, July 1, 2025** – The India Meteorological Department (IMD) is forecasting “above normal” monsoon rainfall for July, a critical month for India’s agricultural sector. Speaking at a press briefing Monday, IMD Director-General Mrutunjay Mohapatra stated that July rainfall is expected to be approximately 6% above the average of 28 cm.
While the overall forecast is positive for agriculture, the IMD is urging heightened vigilance in several states, including Chhattisgarh, Odisha, and Telangana. These regions are expected to experience heavy rainfall in the catchment areas of major river basins such as the Krishna, Godavari, and Mahanadi, potentially leading to surplus rains and flooding.
“East Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Odisha, parts of Vidarbha, and Telangana are likely to receive above normal rainfall activity,” Mr. Mohapatra warned. “We should take care of the river catchments. Major river basins like Krishna, Godavari, and Mahanadi will be impacted. Very high rainfall is expected in the upper Mahanadi catchment covering Chhattisgarh, and parts of Odisha, and the lower Mahanadi catchment. We should keep watch and monitor rainfall activity.”
The monsoon has already covered the entire country by June 29th, nearly nine days ahead of schedule. This is only the 13th time since 1960 that such rapid coverage has occurred. Historically, when the monsoon arrives early like this, rainfall has been above normal in six out of twelve years.
While most of India has received surplus rainfall so far, eastern and northeastern regions have lagged, and south India is experiencing a slight shortfall of about 3%. Northwest and Central India have seen rainfall exceed their quotas by 42% and 24.8% respectively.
The IMD attributes the expected strong rainfall to the absence of El Nino. Mr. Mohapatra emphasized the importance of preparedness and assured the public that the IMD will continue to provide short-term and extended-range forecasts to provide the most accurate information possible.
“We shall be continuously providing short-term forecasts as well as extended range forecasts (two weeks in advance), which provide a better picture than long-range forecasts. But all round precautions are necessary,” he said.
The IMD urges local authorities and residents in the identified at-risk states to monitor weather reports closely and take necessary precautions to mitigate potential flood risks.
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