Onset of Monsoon From Tomorrow In Kerala, IMD Forecasts Monsoon Arrival Dates Across India

As India battles through scorching temperatures amidst an intense heatwave, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has raised a red alert for several regions of the country. With 2024 anticipated to be the hottest year on record, IMD has said that the ‘onset of monsoon’ in Kerala will be in next 24 hours, bringing some respite for the people.  Furthermore, the IMD predicts a normal monsoon across India this year. The expected arrival time of monsoon for other parts of India has been shared below. 

Speaking to Republic World, IMD Patna Scientist, Anand Shankar emphasized that this year's monsoon is expected to be normal. Kerala is set to witness the arrival of monsoon from tomorrow (May 30), providing relief to residents grappling with the stifling heat. Relief from the heatwave is also anticipated for Bihar and neighboring states over the next three days, offering a respite from the soaring temperatures. The onset of the monsoon is projected to bring further relief, with conditions improving from June 1 onwards.

Crucially, the IMD reassures that the monsoon's arrival is on schedule, with no delays forecasted for any part of India. This timely onset bodes well for agricultural activities and water management strategies across the country.

Monsoon Arrival Dates Across India: What to Expect

With the monsoon eagerly awaited across the country, here are the projected arrival dates for some major cities:

Mumbai: Mumbai typically receives an average of 2,300 mm of rainfall during the monsoon season, spanning four months. According to a senior IMD official, the monsoon is expected to arrive in Mumbai between June 10 and 11, with a slight possibility of variation by a couple of days.

Bengaluru: The monsoon is likely to enter Karnataka towards the end of the first week of June. Bengaluru is expected to witness the onset of the monsoon by June 13 or 14, as per IMD officials. Typically, the monsoon enters the Karnataka coast by June 6 or 7 and gradually spreads over the south-interior areas by June 14.

Delhi: In Delhi, the monsoon usually arrives towards the end of June. Last year marked a significant event as the monsoon advanced over both Delhi and Mumbai on June 25, marking the first simultaneous arrival since June 21, 1961. Despite arriving in Delhi two days earlier than usual and reaching Mumbai two weeks late, the synchronized onset was notable.

Hyderabad: Mahesh Palawat from Skymet Weather forecasts that the monsoon may hit south Telangana in the second week of June, with initial good progress. An IMD official also predicts the monsoon's arrival in Andhra Pradesh during the first week of June, with the state expected to receive an above-normal southwest monsoon.

Chennai: According to Weather.com, once the monsoon's northern limit enters Tamil Nadu, it typically takes about two to three days to reach Chennai and four to five days to cover the entire state. Historically, the 'normal' onset date for Chennai is June 4 based on the historical average.

Record Heatwave Grips Northwest India; IMD Issues Red Alerts

While anticipation for the monsoon season grows across India, Northwest India finds itself gripped by an exceptionally severe heatwave. The IMD has issued red alerts for six states - Rajasthan, Punjab, Haryana, Delhi-NCR, East Uttar Pradesh, and Madhya Pradesh - on May 29. These alerts signify the urgent need for action to mitigate the heatwave's impact. The warnings will transition to orange alerts, indicating preparedness, on May 30, persisting in Punjab, Haryana, and Delhi-NCR until May 31.

Amidst soaring temperatures, several weather stations reported record-breaking maximum temperatures for May on Tuesday. Churu, Rajasthan recorded a scorching 50.5°C, while other areas, including Agra-Taj and Jhansi in Uttar Pradesh, witnessed unprecedented heat levels. The IMD attributes these extreme conditions to various factors, including the absence of rainfall and strong dry winds.

Despite the relentless heat, a glimmer of hope emerges with the forecast of a fresh western disturbance, expected to provide temporary relief. From May 30 onwards, a gradual reduction in extreme conditions is anticipated, although isolated heatwave conditions may persist in Punjab until June 2.

Meanwhile, as Northwest India battles the heat, the IMD's second long-range forecast for Monsoon 2024 offers mixed prospects. While good rainfall is predicted for most parts of India, the northeastern states and other regions may experience below-normal rainfall. This underscores the importance of preparedness and adaptation measures in addressing climate-related risks.