Heavy July rains delivered more rainfall than expected across India despite forecasts of a below-normal month influenced by a strengthening El Nino, according to a new study by climate research consultancy Climate Trends.

The study found that between July 1 and July 26, India received 238.2 mm of rainfall against the normal 233.9 mm, outperforming the India Meteorological Department's (IMD) forecast, which had predicted July rainfall at less than 94 per cent of the Long Period Average (LPA).