Below average monsoon forecast raises concerns

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has lauded Israel’s “unique relationship” with a “giant power” like India.

Netanyahu made the comments at a leadership event in the West Bank on Thursday.

Noting the growing criticism against Israel around the world, he said India has an “absolutely crazy love for Israel”.

“We have a problem of illegality in most parts of the world, but not in India,” Netanyahu said during his address.

“We are expanding our alliances and what you are talking about is expanding these alliances into a larger region. And the larger region is actually our unique relationship with a great power called India,” Netanyahu said.

“I think there are more followers in India than anywhere else,” he said.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s support of Israel has divided opinion in India and challenged India’s foreign policy approach to the Middle East.

The opposition Congress party is set to select the next Chief Minister of Karnataka after Siddaramaiah’s resignation was accepted by the Governor.

Although the decision has not been officially announced yet, Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar is widely expected to replace Siddaramaiah.

After his resignation, Siddaramaiah met Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Friday. The meeting assumes significance as Siddaramaiah is expected to discuss his future within the Congress leadership after he had already refused the Rajya Sabha seat.

Siddaramaiah later also met Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge and discussed the formation of the new government in Karnataka and his future role in the party, the Press Trust of India news agency reported.

After submitting his resignation, Siddaramaiah thanked Rahul Gandhi for giving him the opportunity to serve the state.

“I had the opportunity to serve seven crore Kannadigas twice as Chief Minister and twice as Leader of the Opposition. I thank Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, AICC President Mallikarjun Kharge.”

The Indian Meteorological Department said in its latest forecast that the monsoon outlook for India this year looks weak.

Monsoon rainfall influenced by El Nino is likely to be below average in 2026 for the first time in three years.

This year the monsoon is expected to reach 90% of the long period average.

“South-west monsoon seasonal rainfall over the entire country is likely to be 90% of the long period average (LPA) with a model error of +4%, indicating below or below normal rainfall,” the IMD said in a press briefing on Friday.

According to the IMD, Northeast India is expected to receive normal rainfall, while Northwest, Central and South Peninsular India are expected to receive below normal monsoon rainfall.

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

India’s economy largely depends on monsoon rains, as it covers about 70% of the rainfall that occurs to refill the country’s aquifers and reservoirs.

Good morning! I’m Midhat from New Delhi, bringing you the latest from India today.

There has been some relief in northern parts of India as temperatures have dropped amid forecast of rain and storm.

But rainfall this year is projected to be below average, raising concerns about the country’s aquifers and reservoirs, which depend on monsoon rains.

Siddaramaiah has officially resigned as Chief Minister of Karnataka and said he is “making way for the next Chief Minister.”

Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has reaffirmed his country’s “unique relationship” with India, which he called a “giant power”.

Stay tuned as we bring you these developments and the latest stories about India.