For the first time in its history, the India Meteorological Department will issue a summer forecast for April, May and June. Though such a forecast may not be of much help to farmers — who rely on IMD’s rain forecasts to make sowing decisions and don’t plant their crops in these months — the information would be useful to power companies, several service-sector industries and state planners who’d like a heads-up on possible water shortages.
In mid-March, the IMD will send out a colour-coded map of India, showing how temperatures in different regions of the country are likely to deviate from what’s normal, during summer months. These numbers would be updated every five days. Businesses that have requested summer forecasts include manufacturers of refrigerators, air conditioners, ice cream and cold drinks.