Revising its forecast for the southwest monsoon season, the India Meteorological Department on Friday said that the country is expected to receive rainfall at 90% of the long-period average.This figure is lower than the 92% projection made in its first long-range forecast issued in April. This is the first time in 11 years that a shortfall in rainfall has been predicted for the June to September period.The long period average is the measure of the mean rainfall during the four-month monsoon season over the last 50 years.In its press release on Friday, the India Meteorological Department said that the rainfall during the southwest monsoon season is most likely to be normal over northeast India, and below normal over the central, south peninsular and northwestern parts of the country.The average rainfall for the country as a whole in June is most likely to be below normal, or less than 92% of the long period average, the weather department added.Monsoon continues to make progressMeanwhile, the southwest monsoon continued to make steady progress across the country, advancing further into parts of the Arabian Sea, Bay of Bengal and the Andaman Sea, The Indian Express quoted the India Meteorological Department as saying.Conditions remain favourable for its spread into more parts of peninsular and northeastern India over the next few days. It is expected to advance further into more parts of the southern peninsula, northeast India and central Bay of Bengal over the coming week.Written by Leah Thomas. Edited by Sneha.