Monsoon Progress Slows, Delaying Relief for Heat-Stricken North India

The monsoon's advance has slowed, prolonging the heat wave gripping North India. Although monsoon rains typically reach many parts of North and Central India by early June, this year’s progress has been delayed. As the third week of June approaches, there is still no sign of rain in these regions.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) reports that despite the early arrival of the monsoon in the southern parts of the country, its intensity has weakened. This slowdown is expected to continue for the next few days, delaying the spread of monsoon rains to Central and North India.

According to Skymet Weather, a private weather forecasting service, the monsoon stalled after reaching Maharashtra and may take up to a week to regain momentum. The recent dissipation of a cyclone in the southern regions has contributed to the temporary weakening of the monsoon. However, the IMD forecasts that the monsoon will reactivate in eastern India around June 15-16, spreading to eastern and central Uttar Pradesh by June 22.

Monsoon's Early Arrival in Southern States

Skymet reported that the monsoon reached Kerala and the Northeast on May 30, marking one of the earliest arrivals in the past decade. It also reached Maharashtra by June 9 and Gujarat by June 11. Despite this early onset, the monsoon’s progress has since slowed, potentially delaying its advance in these states by up to a week.

Ongoing Heat Wave in North and Central India

Meanwhile, the heat wave persists in North and Central India. The IMD has issued heat wave alerts for several states, including Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, Delhi, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Jammu, Bihar, Jharkhand, Rajasthan, the Gangetic plains of West Bengal, and northern Odisha. These regions are expected to experience extreme heat conditions from June 15 to 18.

Rainfall Predictions for Other Regions

The IMD predicts moderate to heavy rainfall in several states of Northeast and South India between June 15 and 19. States such as Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram, Tripura, Sub-Himalayan West Bengal, and Sikkim are likely to see light to moderate rain accompanied by thunderstorms, lightning, and strong winds.

Specifically, Sub-Himalayan West Bengal and Sikkim may receive rain on June 15, with Meghalaya expecting rain from June 15 to 19, and Assam from June 17 to 19. Odisha is also forecasted to receive rainfall between June 15 and 19.

In the south, Kerala is likely to experience heavy rains on June 17 and 18. North coastal Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and Marathwada may see significant rainfall on June 16, while central Maharashtra and the Gujarat region are forecasted to receive rain on June 19. Additionally, Konkan and Goa are expected to have heavy rainfall on June 18 and 19.

As North India waits for the monsoon, the prolonged heat wave continues to impact daily life, making the upcoming rains a much-anticipated relief.