Monsoon likely to enter state by June 18, cover Rajasthan in a week

JAIPUR: Here is good news for farmers eyeing the monsoon rainfall this year. The southwest monsoon is likely to make its entry by June 18 and cover the entire state by June 26. With the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) announcing monsoon rainfall to hit Kerala almost five days prior to the deadline, Rajasthan is also expecting the monsoon to commence earlier than last year.
"The southwest monsoon has already advanced towards the Andaman sea and is expected to arrive in Kerala by May 27. Since it is coming to Kerala a little early, we can expect it by June 18, almost four days prior to its onset in Rajasthan last year," said an official with the Jaipur Met office. They said the monsoon would also be dependent on when and how it reaches Maharashtra, Vidarbha and Gujarat.
For monsoon, humidity of 90% needed
"A week after it hits Gujarat, we can expect it here," said the official.
Going by the monsoon trend in Rajasthan, it is likely that it may enter southern Rajasthan and cover Kota, Jhalawar and Baran districts, the Met office said.
In Rajasthan, the pre-monsoon activity starts from the second week of June. "During this period, the humidity levels will start rising. From the existing 20%, it will go up to 80%. And for the monsoon, a humidity of on or above 90% is needed. So, we expect the conditions to be favourable from June 16," said the official.
Last year, the state had an average rainfall of around 600mm. This year too it is expected to be closer to this mark. "Everything depends on its progress and advancement. We will be able to say on how the monsoon will fare here only after its onset and seeing the pattern," the official said.
Meanwhile, the mercury dipped across the state on Tuesday. A majority of places saw maximum temperatures below the normal notch.
The Jaipur Municipal Corporation (JMC) deployed fire tenders to spray water on city roads. "Fire tenders went around the city and sprayed water on the road," said Devendra Meena, chief fire officer, JMC Heritage.