The India Meteorological Department (IMD) said on Monday that the country is likely to receive above-average rainfall during the monsoon season (June to September) this year.

The weather agency said that the southwest monsoon seasonal rainfall is most likely to be above normal over Central India and South Peninsular India, normal over Northwest India, and below normal over Northeast India.

In the Monsoon Core Zone (MCZ), which comprises most of the rainfed agricultural areas in the country, the southwest monsoon seasonal rainfall is most likely to be above normal.

The IMD has predicted that the maximum temperatures in June are likely to remain above normal in most parts of the country, except for the southern peninsular India, where normal to below-normal temperatures are expected.

Additionally, the IMD said that heatwave conditions are likely to persist for a longer duration than normal in June over most areas of Northwest India and adjoining areas of Central India.