Pune’s wait for monsoon gets longer as IMD predicts arrival between June 18-22

Cyclone Biparjoy, the very "severe cyclonic storm" which began to make a landfall over Gujarat coast on Thursday evening is the prime cause for the halt in progress of monsoon.

The monsoons reached Maharashtra's Ratnagiri on June 8 and June 9 as against its estimated date of arrival —June 5. (Express Photo by Pavan Khengre)

Listen to this article

00:00

1x 1.5x 1.8x

Pune’s wait for monsoon this year gets a little longer with India Meteorological Department (IMD) predicting its arrival in the city between June 18 and June 22. Dr Anupam Kashyapi, Head of Weather Forecasting at the department, however, added that the monsoon season would progress slowly, with North Maharashtra and Vidharbha regions of the state waiting longer than usual.

The progress of the monsoon has been sluggish since its onset over Kerala on June 4. It reached Maharashtra’s Ratnagiri on June 8 and June 9 as against its estimated date of arrival —June 5.

Cyclone Biparjoy, the very “severe cyclonic storm” which began to make a landfall over Gujarat coast on Thursday evening is the prime cause for the halt in progress of monsoon. Till date, India has reported a 51 per cent rainfall deficit. As against the normal 62.1 mm of rainfall India is supposed to receive, it received only 30.6 mm of rainfall this season. Central parts of India, constituting Maharashtra and other states, experienced 73 per cent rainfall deficit — the highest in the country.

Don't Miss | Cyclone Biparjoy’s landfall commences: What we know so far in 10 points

Kashyapi, speaking to reporters in Pune, said that the conditions were becoming favourable for further advancement of Southwest Monsoon over some parts of the Southern Peninsula, Eastern parts of India and adjoining areas between June 18 and June 21. “Simultaneously, a trough line is establishing or strengthening over Arabian sea, Maharashtra to Kerala coast, which is very likely to support Arabian sea branch of monsoon current in coming days. Hence, conditions will be favorable for further advance of Southwest monsoon over more areas of Maharashtra including Pune, Mumbai during June 18-22. However, progress of monsoon over north of our state and Vidarbha will take more time,” he said.