PATNA, May 12 -- Bihar is expected to experience an early breakout of monsoon, which will be above normal. The first spell of rain is likely between June 13 and 15, said a local meteorological department official on Sunday. The anticipation of an early arrival of monsoon is based on movement of southwest monsoon, which is likely to hit Kerala on May 27 against the normal schedule of June 1. According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the monsoon is predicted to be above-normal for the country as a whole, suggesting a favourable outlook for rainfall. "This year, we are expecting around 105% rainfall against the normal during the monsoon. In 2024, the state had experienced a deficient monsoon, with several districts recording rainfall deficits. The state received 78.4 mm of rainfall against the normal 163.3 mm in June, resulting in a 52% deficit. In July also, the state witnessed rainfall of 241.3 mm against the normal 340.5 mm, a deficit of 29%. Some districts in Bihar experienced a rainfall deficit of 35%," said the weather scientist attached with the local IMD office. The normal rainfall in the monsoon season in Bihar is 1272.5 mm. Since 2021, the state has not received more than normal rainfall in the monsoon season. This time it is expected that if the monsoon arrives before time in 2025, then there may be good rainfall. But the real situation will be known only after the monsoon arrives in Bihar. It has to be seen whether the weather is helping the monsoon or not. If the weather is favourable, then there will be more rain than normal. Analysing the current weather pattern, another scientist said 'Eurasian snow cover,' or snow cover areas of northern hemisphere and Eurasia (January-March, 2025) is 'below normal.' "It has an inverse relationship with the summer monsoon rainfall. An inverse relationship means that it rains more if the snow level is less in the northern hemisphere," he added. According to an agricultural scientist, production of litchi and mango would improve, both in terms of quality and quantity, thanks to the timely arrival of monsoon. An early breakout of monsoon is also expected to boost production of vegetables and kharif crops, including paddy and maize. In the year 2024, Bihar's paddy (rice) production was pegged at 7.02 million tonnes, reflecting a decrease compared to the previous year's production of 7.72 million tonnes. Acreage under paddy was also lower. While the overall paddy production in India reached a record high, Bihar's production saw a slight decline. An early monsoon in the state is also important to boost the rural economy and help recharge groundwater resources. Flow of water in many rivers, including Gandak, Burhi Gandak and other rivers originating from Nepal, has decreased considerably, while water bodies in north Bihar region have dried up. Several districts of Bihar had witnessed severe heatwave conditions in early April....