Monsoon Comes Early This Time, Already Advanced Into Northeast India
“Southwest Monsoon has set in over Kerala and advanced into most parts of Northeast India today, the 30th May, 2024,” announced India”s weather agency India Meteorological Department (IMD). Last year, the monsoon hit Kerala on June 8. Monsoon hits the state a day earlier that what has been predicted by the weather department.
Here is a summary of recent forecasts of southwest monsoon hitting Kerala and actual onset dates:
- 2019: Forecast – June 6, Actual – June 8
- 2020: Forecast – June 5, Actual – June 1
- 2021: Forecast – May 31, Actual – June 3
- 2022: Forecast – May 27, Actual – May 29
- 2023: Forecast – June 4, Actual – June 8
As per the weather scientists, the Cyclone Remal, that have struck West Bengal and Bangladesh on last Sunday might have drawn the monsoon to the Bay of Bengal, potentially contributing to the early onset of the much-awaited season. Kerala has been receiving heavy summer rains for the past few days.
Earlier the Weather department announced the starting of the monsoon in the state within 24 hours as the conditions continue to become favourable. It said the favourable conditions are expected to continue, which will further facilitate the advancement of the Southwest Monsoon into more areas of the South Arabian Sea, the remaining parts of the Maldives and Comorin region, some parts of the Lakshadweep area, Kerala, additional areas of the Southwest and Central Bay of Bengal, the Northeast Bay of Bengal, and parts of the Northeastern states over the next three or four days.
Monsoon is extremely significant for India, as over 52 percent of its cultivated area depends on it. The season also plays a key role in replenishing reservoirs that are needed for drinking water and power generation across the nation. June and July monsoon is crucial for agriculture as most of the Kharif crops sowing happens during these months.
