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The southwest monsoon is likely to cover the entire country over the next two to three days, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said, after a delayed and uneven advance that left large parts of India rain-deficient in June.
The monsoon advanced into the remaining parts of Gujarat and more areas of Rajasthan and Haryana on Tuesday, July 7. Conditions are now favourable for its further advance into the remaining parts of the North Arabian Sea, Rajasthan, Haryana and Punjab, which would take the seasonal rain system across the entire country.
The monsoon normally covers all of India around July 15, according to the IMD, meaning a nationwide advance in the next two to three days would be ahead of the usual date.
This year's monsoon made its onset over Kerala on June 4, three days later than the normal June 1 date. It reached Mumbai on June 23, nearly two weeks after the city's normal onset date of June 11.
The monsoon has since picked up pace after stalling for nearly two weeks over western farming regions. India recorded its fifth-driest June since 1901, with rainfall 39.8% below average, according to the weather department.
The progress of the monsoon is closely watched because the seasonal rains deliver around 70% of India's annual rainfall and are crucial for agriculture and water supplies. Nearly half of India's farmland lacks irrigation, while the July rains coincide with the sowing of key summer crops such as rice, cotton, corn and soybeans.
The IMD, however, has forecast below-normal rainfall in July, at less than 94% of the long-period average, after the sharp June deficit.
The monsoon advanced into the remaining parts of Gujarat and more areas of Rajasthan and Haryana on Tuesday, July 7. Conditions are now favourable for its further advance into the remaining parts of the North Arabian Sea, Rajasthan, Haryana and Punjab, which would take the seasonal rain system across the entire country.
The monsoon normally covers all of India around July 15, according to the IMD, meaning a nationwide advance in the next two to three days would be ahead of the usual date.
This year's monsoon made its onset over Kerala on June 4, three days later than the normal June 1 date. It reached Mumbai on June 23, nearly two weeks after the city's normal onset date of June 11.
The monsoon has since picked up pace after stalling for nearly two weeks over western farming regions. India recorded its fifth-driest June since 1901, with rainfall 39.8% below average, according to the weather department.
The progress of the monsoon is closely watched because the seasonal rains deliver around 70% of India's annual rainfall and are crucial for agriculture and water supplies. Nearly half of India's farmland lacks irrigation, while the July rains coincide with the sowing of key summer crops such as rice, cotton, corn and soybeans.
The IMD, however, has forecast below-normal rainfall in July, at less than 94% of the long-period average, after the sharp June deficit.
