Brace yourself Mumbaikars, as monsoon arrival is likely to be delayed in Mumbai and Maharashtra. For the sixth year in a row, India is likely to witness “below normal” monsoon with expectations of erratic rainfall induced by climate change, which may aggravate farm distress, particularly in the drought-ridden regions.
According to Hindustan Times, the southwest monsoon is likely to make a delayed arrival in Mumbai, with Maharashtra staring at deficient rainfall, especially during the first half of the season (June and July), this year. The private weather forecasting agency Skymet has said that 24 of 36 districts in the state are at high risk and may record below normal rainfall. Mahesh Palawat, vice-president (Meteorology and Climate Change), Skymet told the leading daily, “For Mumbai, the southwest monsoon will be delayed and is expected to set in by the second half of June. The intensity [of rain] throughout the season will not be as high as it has been over the past few years. But, a couple of heavy spells cannot be ruled out. The second half of the season (August and September) is expected to be better.”
The private weather forecasting agency also has indicated that in June and the first two weeks of July, there will deficient rain, especially over Vidarbha, Marathwada and adjoining parts of Maharashtra. In 2019, monsoon will be 93 percent of the Long Period Average (LPA) owing to developing El Nino in the Pacific Ocean, said private weather forecaster Skymet, adding that the precipitation pattern has changed rapidly in the past few years.