Southwest monsoon stalls over Maharashtra; IMD cites weakened winds, moisture flow
Mumbai, June 18
The India Meteorological Department has reported a significant delay in the advancement of the Southwest Monsoon across Maharashtra, even as parts of the state received initial rains earlier this month.
The monsoon made its entry into South Konkan and adjoining areas of South Madhya Maharashtra on June 8, but progress has since remained stalled for several days due to unfavourable large-scale atmospheric conditions.
According to the Regional Meteorological Centre in Mumbai, the Northern Limit of Monsoon (NLM) currently passes through Harnai, Solapur, Hyderabad, Bhadrachalam, Koraput, Phulbani, Ranchi, Jamui and Muzaffarpur.
While the monsoon has progressed in southern pockets, the remaining parts of the state continue to wait for its full onset.
IMD officials have attributed the slowdown to multiple meteorological factors. The current monsoon flow lacks a strong surge from the Arabian Sea, which is typically crucial for enhanced moisture incursion and widespread rainfall.
Low-level southwesterly winds associated with monsoon circulation have weakened over the Arabian sea, leading to reduced moisture transport towards the Maharashtra coast and interior regions.
Additionally, the cross-equatorial flow over the western Indian Ocean and Arabian Sea - a vital moisture source for the southwest monsoon - has also weakened in recent days.
The absence of significant weather systems, such as low-pressure areas, cyclonic circulations over the Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal, or a sufficiently intense offshore trough along the west coast, has further hindered advancement.
The prevailing large-scale circulation patterns, including the Madden-Julian Oscillation (MJO), are currently not providing strong support for monsoon progression over Maharashtra.
As a result, rainfall activity is expected to remain isolated over most parts of the state during the next 4-5 days.
However, numerical weather guidance indicates a likely increase in rainfall activity over the Konkan belt around June 24-25. Synoptic conditions are being closely monitored, and updated forecasts will be issued accordingly.
The IMD has urged citizens and stakeholders to stay updated about official warnings and forecasts.
This temporary lull comes at a critical time for agriculture and water resources in Maharashtra. Farmers and local authorities are advised to plan accordingly while awaiting the monsoon's revival.
— IANS
Reader Comments
Living in Pune, we've had a few good showers earlier this month but now it's just humid and uncomfortable. The lack of proper low-pressure systems is really showing. Kudos to IMD for their detailed analysis though, at least we know what's happening.
The article explains the science well - weakened winds and moisture flow. But I wonder if climate change is making these monsoon stalls more frequent? In Mumbai, we're praying for strong rains soon, the water supply situation is getting tense.
Respectfully, while the scientific explanation is good, IMD needs to improve their long-range forecasts for farmers. We can't plan based on 4-5 day predictions during critical sowing season. The delay affects millions of livelihoods across Maharashtra.
Interesting read, even from an international perspective. The monsoon dynamics here are so different from weather patterns back home in Canada. Hope the rains pick up soon for the farmers' sake.
Typical Mumbai weather - unpredictable as always! 😅 But seriously, this delay is affecting our daily lives. The humidity without rain is unbearable, and my plants are dying. Let's hope the Konkan belt gets good rainfall by June 24-25 as predicted!
V Varun X This is exactly We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.