Monsoon surges ahead with rainfall surplus of 7% across India
What's the story
India's monsoon season has started on a positive note, recording a rainfall surplus of 7% across the country. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) said that Northwest India alone saw a staggering 102% increase over average rainfall last week, making it the highest seasonal rainfall among all regions. This surge has pushed the seasonal total in Northwest India to 37% above normal levels.
Weather forecast
IMD's forecast for next 2 weeks
The IMD has predicted that this active monsoon phase will likely continue till at least July 10. During this time, Central India is likely to witness above-normal rainfall, while northwest India and the Western Himalayan region are expected to receive normal to above-normal precipitation. Temperatures across most of India are also likely to remain 2-4 degrees Celsius below average during this period.
Dry capital
Delhi yet to receive any significant rainfall
Despite the widespread rainfall across India, Delhi is yet to receive any significant showers. However, the IMD has said that active monsoon systems could soon bring rains to the national capital. The weather agency's forecast indicates that Delhi may finally see some much-needed precipitation in the coming weeks as these systems continue to persist.
Weather systems
Three weather systems driving monsoon activity across India
Currently, three weather systems are driving monsoon activity across East, West, and Central India. A low-pressure area formed over the northwest Bay of Bengal and adjoining coastal areas of Odisha and West Bengal on Thursday morning. This system is likely to move west-northwestward, affecting northern Odisha, Gangetic West Bengal, Jharkhand, and Chhattisgarh.
Rainfall forecast
Areas likely to receive heavy to very heavy rainfall
The IMD has also predicted heavy to very heavy rainfall in several parts of India over the next two weeks. Konkan and Goa, Madhya Maharashtra, and Gujarat are likely to witness intense showers during this period. Isolated heavy rainfall is also expected over Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, and Jammu & Kashmir, along with parts of Central and Eastern India such as Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Odisha, Jharkhand, and West Bengal.