IMD says Monsoon expected to advance over key central and eastern states by June 23 | Today’s news
NEW DELHI: Conditions are favorable for the southwest monsoon to advance further into Maharashtra, Telangana, Odisha, Jharkhand, Bihar and Chhattisgarh by June 23, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said on Friday.
The monsoon reached Kerala on June 4, three days later than the usual onset date of June 1. It has since covered Kerala, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, most of Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh, parts of Maharashtra, Telangana, Odisha, Jharkhand and Bihar and the entire North Eastern region.
As the monsoon advances over the subcontinent and the Western Disturbance affects Northwest India, rainfall is expected over Jammu, Kashmir, Ladakh and Muzaffarabad, West Rajasthan, West Bengal, Sikkim, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Northeast States, Konkan and Goa, parts of Gujarat, Praalu Karnataka and a few other coastal areas of Karnataka, Tamyal Nadu. days, the meteorological office said.
The progress of the monsoon is closely watched as nearly 70% of India’s annual rainfall comes from the south-west monsoon, which is crucial for kharif sowing. A favorable monsoon usually supports rural demand, consumption and broader economic growth.
However, 2026 is an El Niño year, when unusually warm sea surface temperatures in the central and eastern equatorial Pacific Ocean may weaken the Indian summer monsoon and increase the risk of below-normal rainfall. The IMD estimates seasonal rainfall at 90% of the long period average (LPA), indicating sub-normal rains and raising concerns about the impact on agriculture and water resources.
The IMD forecast has spread rainfall over Bihar and Jharkhand during June 19-25. It also said isolated to scattered rainfall is likely over Haryana, Chandigarh, Delhi, Punjab and parts of Uttar Pradesh between June 19 and June 22, while western Uttar Pradesh is also likely to be affected on June 25.
The Meteorological Department said heatwaves were observed in parts of Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and Vidarbha in the last 24 hours, though Friday’s statement did not include a heatwave forecast.
Rainfall data for June 1-18 showed that 258 of India’s 741 districts recorded deficient rainfall, while 223 districts reported severe rainfall deficiency. A day earlier, the corresponding numbers were 239 districts and 230 districts.
The IMD also reported heavy rainfall over sub-Himalayan West Bengal and Gujarat, while thunderstorms accompanied by winds of 60-80 kmph were recorded at isolated places in Tamil Nadu and Odisha.
