El Nino years in India are linked to below normal monsoon rains and higher than normal frequency of heat waves. Last monsoon, El Nino conditions led to a delayed onset of monsoon, according to scientists. IOD is characterized by warmer sea surface temperature in the equatorial Indian Ocean; positive IOD conditions are associated with normal monsoon. Ocean temperatures in the equatorial Indian Ocean are forecast to be warmer than normal, which has the potential to reduce monsoon rains. Forecast models do not generally pick this link between the warm Indian Ocean and the monsoon rains,” Koll added.

Source: Hindustan Times April 15, 2020 09:42 UTC