The South Asian Climate Outlook Forum (SASCOF) has said that it expects the Monsoon is likely to be normal over south Asia this year.

SASCOF said on Friday that south-west monsoon rainfall over India and six other South Asian countries will be within the normal range during the June and September. A statement from SASCOF said that parts of the South Asia will receive below normal rains because of likely occurrence of El Nino weather pattern during the second half of the monsoon season.

The SASCOF is a sub-regional climate outlook body of the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) that is focused on specific monsoon prediction and outlook requirements of countries in the region including. The statement said that Bangladesh, Bhutan, Maldives, Myanmar, Nepal and Sri Lanka are the countries that receive rains influenced by the Indian Ocean. A map released with the forecast has indicated that there will be a normal rainfall in the region during this year.

"There is likelihood of below normal rainfall over some areas of northwestern and southern parts of South Asia. The rainfall conditions close to the long-period average are more likely over the remaining parts," said the forecast.