Lagatar24 Desk
New Delhi: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Tuesday said conditions are now favourable for the southwest monsoon to advance further into key northern states, including Delhi, Haryana, Punjab, and parts of Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh, within the next 36 hours.
North India awaits first proper spell
Although the monsoon has already advanced over Himachal Pradesh, Jammu, and parts of Punjab, Haryana, and west Uttar Pradesh, regions such as Delhi, Chandigarh, and northern Rajasthan are still awaiting the first significant spells of rain. The northern limit of the monsoon currently passes through Barmer, Jodhpur, Jaipur, Agra, Rampur, Bijnor, Karnal, and Halwara.
Widespread heavy rain in multiple regions
Heavy to extremely heavy rain has already been reported in sub-Himalayan West Bengal, Sikkim, Gujarat, Konkan, Uttarakhand, east Rajasthan, and the northeastern states. Isolated heavy showers were recorded in Odisha, Karnataka, and Manipur. With the low-pressure system hovering over south Uttar Pradesh and Gangetic West Bengal, more rainfall is likely in the coming days.
Monsoon vital for economy and agriculture
The monsoon’s arrival is critical to India’s economy, especially agriculture. Nearly 51% of India’s farmed land is rain-fed, contributing to 40% of total food production. As nearly half of India’s population depends on agriculture for livelihood, a timely and well-distributed monsoon is crucial for rural income and national food security.
Forecast points to strong progress
IMD Director General Mrutyunjay Mohapatra confirmed that the monsoon is ahead of schedule in many parts of north India and is expected to fully cover Delhi, Haryana, Punjab, and remaining parts of Rajasthan within days. The IMD has forecast isolated heavy rainfall in several northern states until at least June 30, aided by favourable meteorological developments.
