LAHORE, June 10: The Pakistan Meteorological Department expects early onset of the monsoon season, with normal rainfall during it.The monsoon rains could be above normal in the Northern Areas and adjoining hilly areas of Kashmir and Sindh.

According to the Met department seasonal forecast on Tuesday, the monsoon season was expected to start around mid–June instead of the traditional first week of July. The department said the seasonal forecast had a confidence level of 80 per cent.The normal rainfall during the monsoon season, which lasts from July to September in Pakistan, is 137.5mm. The department said the forecast had been made while considering meteorological conditions prevailing over Pakistan and certain parts of the world. — Staff Reporter