India Forecasts Above-Average Monsoon Rains in 2025

India is expected to receive above-average monsoon rains in 2025, the government announced on Tuesday, raising hopes for stronger agricultural and economic growth in Asia’s third-largest economy.

According to M. Ravichandran, secretary in the Ministry of Earth Sciences, monsoon rainfall is projected to reach 105% of the long-term average this year. The seasonal rains typically begin around June 1 over Kerala in southern India and retreat by mid-September.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) defines average or normal rainfall as between 96% and 104% of the 50-year average of 87 cm (35 inches) for the four-month monsoon season.