The southwest monsoon further advanced into more parts of the Arabian Sea, Lakshadweep area and the Bay of Bengal on Wednesday, though it missed its expected onset date over Kerala, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD).
The weather office had earlier forecast the monsoon’s arrival in Kerala on May 26, with a model error margin of plus or minus four days. The normal onset date for the southwest monsoon over Kerala is June 1.
In a statement, the IMD said conditions remained favourable for the monsoon to advance further over additional parts of the southwest and southeast Arabian Sea, Lakshadweep area and several parts of the Bay of Bengal during the next two to three days.
“Conditions are favourable for further advance of southwest monsoon into some more parts of southwest and southeast Arabian Sea, Lakshadweep area, southwest, eastcentral and westcentral Bay of Bengal, remaining parts of southeast Bay of Bengal and some parts of northeast Bay of Bengal during the next 2-3 days,” the IMD said.
The onset of the southwest monsoon over Kerala marks the official beginning of the four-month rainy season across the country, which typically lasts from June to September.
Also read: Southwest monsoon advances over Arabian Sea, Bay of Bengal
Last year, the monsoon had reached Kerala on May 24, earlier than usual.
The monsoon is considered crucial for India’s agriculture sector as nearly 70 per cent of the country’s annual rainfall is received during this period.
A good monsoon season is vital for kharif crop cultivation, drinking water supply, hydroelectric power generation and groundwater replenishment across several states.
Weather experts have been closely monitoring the progress of the monsoon due to its significant impact on rural incomes, food production and the broader economy.
The IMD has been issuing regular updates on the monsoon’s movement over the Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal, which are the two key branches of the southwest monsoon system.
The department is expected to continue monitoring atmospheric and oceanic conditions over the coming days to determine the monsoon’s further progress towards the Indian mainland.
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