India’s southwest monsoon continued its seasonal journey across the country, making steady advances in the northeastern and eastern regions, on Thursday, June 11.
While people in the northeast enjoyed showers and cold wind, the monsoon’s progress along the western coast remains slow.
Millions of people in states like Maharashtra and Gujarat are still waiting for the monsoon rains.
The southwest monsoon is India’s main rainy season that usually starts in early June in Kerala and moves northward, bringing heavy rains.
This year, it reached Kerala on June 4, officially setting off the monsoon season.
MONSOON’S STRONG ADVANCE
Since the monsoon onset, rains have pushed forward mainly through the Bay of Bengal, covering more areas in the northeast, West Bengal, and parts of southern states like Karnataka, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, and Tamil Nadu, according to the latest India Meteorological Department (IMD).
On June 9, it advanced into remaining parts of the northeastern states, entire Sikkim, and some parts of sub-Himalayan West Bengal. Further progress was also reported on June 11 in more areas of West Bengal, Bihar, and southern states.
The IMD has further said that conditions remain favourable for more advances in central and eastern parts in the coming days.
WHY ARE RAINS LATE TO MAHARASHTRA AND GUJARAT?
In contrast, the westward push over the side of the Arabian Sea has stalled.
In Maharashtra, including key areas like Pune and Mumbai, the monsoon has not made further significant progress in recent days. Mumbai’s normal monsoon arrival date is around June 11, but current conditions point to a delay, with full arrival possibly later in the month.
The situation is similar in Gujarat.
Dry air and sinking air currents are keeping the weather hot and dry there, with no significant pre-monsoon activity expected until around June 20. After that, the monsoon showers are only likely to reach Gujarat around June 23.
The delay has been observed by many and experts are paying close attention.
Most have blamed dry air intrusion over parts of the west coast, including Konkan, Mumbai, and Pune, which is leading to clearer skies and holding back the moist monsoon winds.
Factors like wind patterns and moisture flow can cause temporary stalls, especially on the western side compared to the eastern Bay of Bengal branch.
Furthermore, there is a lack of low-pressure systems, depressions and cyclonic storms, all of which usually pull in moisture-laden winds and help advance monsoon. In their absence, the monsoon system along western India is currently slow.
Consequently, people in Mumbai, Pune, and Gujarat should expect continued hot and mostly dry weather, with only occasional light showers possible.
While the eastern parts celebrate the rains, western India remains hopeful for the monsoon’s arrival to bring refreshing winds, showers and relief.
– Ends
