IMD predicts ‘above normal’ monsoon rains.

• IMD predicts 92 cm rainfall (106% of the long period average) during the southwest monsoon, slightly higher than the April forecast of 91.3 cm.

• Most of India will receive ‘above normal’ rainfall, with at least 8% more than its average rainfall of 16.7 cm in June.

• The monsoon arrived early this year, reaching Kerala on May 24, a week ahead of its normal onset date of June 1.

• The monsoon also advanced to Mumbai early, breaking a 35-year old record.

• The monsoon advanced faster than usual to parts of Karnataka, Goa, and central Maharashtra.

• The monsoon will not continue to speed towards Delhi and northern India indefinitely, with a slowdown expected.

• A swathe of central India, Odisha, and parts of Rajasthan is likely to receive 6% more rain than normal.