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Earliest Monsoon Onset in India Since 2009

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

The year's first monsoon rain swept across Kerala and other parts of south India on Saturday, marking the earliest the season has begun in the country since 2009. According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the southwest monsoon has covered the whole of Kerala, parts of Karnataka, and most parts of Tamil Nadu. The early onset of monsoon rains is expected to boost production of key kharif crops such as paddy, pulses, oilseeds, cotton, and sugarcane.

Key Takeaways:

  • The southwest monsoon has covered the whole of Kerala, parts of Karnataka, and most parts of Tamil Nadu, as per the India Meteorological Department (IMD).
  • The monsoon rains are expected to cover Goa, south Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, some north-eastern states, and parts of West Bengal by Tuesday.
  • The monsoon has set in over Kerala 8 days before its normal date, and over Mizoram 12 days before the normal date.
  • The weather office said conditions are favourable for the advance of the southwest monsoon into some more parts of central Arabian Sea, Goa, some parts of Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh, some more parts of Karnataka, the remaining parts of Tamil Nadu, some more parts of west-central India, and north Bay of Bengal.
  • The early onset of monsoon rains is expected to boost production of key kharif crops such as paddy, pulses, oilseeds, cotton, and sugarcane.
  • Last month, the weather office had predicted rainfall this year would be above normal.

Statistics:

  • The monsoon has set in over Kerala 8 days before its normal date.
  • The monsoon has set in over Mizoram 12 days before the normal date.
  • The monsoon rains are expected to cover 56% of the country by 24 May.
  • The normal onset date for monsoon rains in Kerala is June 1.
  • The monsoon is expected to advance over most parts of northeast India by June 5.

Sources:

  • India Meteorological Department (IMD), "Statement on 24 May 2023"
  • "Season's earliest onset in India since 2009" - article by Our Bureau, SEASON'S EARLIEST ONSET IN INDIA SINCE 2009Pune: The year's first monsoon rain drenched Kerala and other parts of south India on Saturdaymore than a week ahead of its usual start datemarking the earliest the season has begun in the country since 2009, according to the weather office

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