The South-West monsoon is expected to be normal this year, Science and Technology Minister Kapil Sibal said on Wednesday.

"We expect 98 per cent rainfall during the June-September monsoon period," he told reporters in New Delhi [Images].

A firm prediction, however, will be made only in June because the other parameters needed are not available as early
as April, he said.

Information from our system and the US and European metrological departments all suggest that there will be normal South-West monsoon this year, Sibal said.