The southwest monsoon has officially entered Maharashtra, keeping pace with its usual timetable despite getting delayed in Kerala earlier this week, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) officials said on Saturday. With the development, the residents of the state will likely receive much-needed relief from seething temperatures and the agricultural season shall also receive a shot in the arm.

The monsoon made landfall in Kerala on June 4, three days later than its usual onset date of June 1. The delay was even more notable as it came almost a week after the IMD’s earlier forecast, which had claimed its arrival on May 26 earlier. However, the meteorologists noted that the weather system picked up pace after entering the country, allowing it to make up lost ground within a short span of time.

Monsoon advances rapidly across West coast

Following its Kerala onset, the southwest monsoon advanced rapidly along the Western coastline. By June 5, it had covered extensive areas up to Goa before making its way further north into Maharashtra on June 6.

The IMD reported in its latest bulletin that the monsoon has expanded into additional parts of the west-central and east-central Arabian Sea, Karnataka, the entire Goa region, portions of Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh, most parts of Tamil Nadu and the southwest Bay of Bengal.

The weather agency further noted that the monsoon has spread across more areas of the west-central, northeast and northwest Bay of Bengal, while steering towards northeastern states like Mizoram and Manipur.

Current trajectory of monsoon

According to IMD’s prediction, the current Northern limit of Monsoon passes through Devgad in the Konkan region, Koppal in Karnataka, Anantapuramu in Andhra and Tamil Nadu’s Chennai. This marks a drastic expansion of the seasonal weather system across multiple regions of the country.

Meteorologists have indicated that atmospheric and oceanic conditions remain favourable for the monsoon’s further advancement in the days that follow.

More regions brace for rain

The IMD has forecast continued progress of the southwest monsoon over the next three days. It is expected to storm into additional parts of Maharashtra, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh, while concurrently covering sections of Telangana and the remaining areas of Tamil Nadu.

Its further expansion has also been projected over parts of the Arabian Sea, Bay of Bengal and northeastern states.

For Maharashtra, monsoon’s timely arrival is being viewed as a glimmer of hope for farmers preparing for the Kharif sowing season. Besides providing respite from intense heat, the expected spell of widespread rainfall is likely to replenish water resources and support agricultural activities across the state’s several districts.