IMD Forecast: Monsoon Advances Into Parts Of India; El Nino May Weaken Rainfall

New Delhi: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) said on Saturday that the southwest monsoon has already progressed into parts of the southeast Arabian Sea, southwest and southeast Bay of Bengal, the Andaman Sea, the entire Nicobar Islands, and some areas of the Andaman Islands, including Sri Vijaya Puram.According to a PTI report, the IMD added that favourable conditions are likely to support further advancement of the monsoon into additional areas of the southeast Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal over the next three to four days.It also noted that parts of the remaining Andaman Islands, the Andaman Sea, and sections of the eastcentral Bay of Bengal may receive monsoon onset during this period. The IMD stated that all required conditions for

the advance of the southwest monsoon over the region have been met.The department had earlier indicated that the monsoon is expected to arrive early over Kerala around May 26, compared to the usual onset date of June 1, which marks the start of the June–September monsoon season.The IMD also previously warned that India could receive below-normal rainfall this year, potentially due to developing El Niño conditions, which are known to weaken monsoon rains, the PTI report added. Also Read: Super El Niño Alert: Which Parts of India Could See Severe Drought and Flooding This Monsoon?How will El Niño affect monsoon rainfall?El Niño is a climate pattern marked by unusually warm sea surface temperatures in the central and eastern Pacific Ocean, which can disturb weather systems around the world.In India, it is generally linked to weaker monsoon winds, resulting in lower rainfall and an increased risk of drought. The IMD has also expressed concern about the chances of below-normal rainfall, which have risen to 35%, compared to the long-term average of 16%.(With inputs from PTI)