Monsoon comes calling, advances into most parts of northeast, says IMD

New Delhi, May 30: The Southwest Monsoon has reached the coast of Kerala and advanced into parts of northeast India, the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) announced on Thursday. This year’s monsoon onset is two days earlier than the typical date of June 1.

Kerala experienced widespread pre-monsoon rains this year. In 2023, the country received 94% of its long-period average rainfall during the monsoon season (June-September).

The monsoon’s arrival over Kerala marks the beginning of the transition from the hot and dry season to the rainy season in India. As the monsoon progresses northward, it brings relief from the scorching summer temperatures across the regions it covers.

These rains are vital for Indian agriculture, particularly for kharif crops. India has three cropping seasons: summer, kharif, and rabi. Rabi crops are sown in October-November and harvested from January onwards. Kharif crops, sown in June-July and reliant on monsoon rains, are harvested in October-November. Summer crops are produced between the rabi and kharif seasons.

Kharif crops, such as paddy, moong, bajra, maize, groundnut, soybean, and cotton, are traditionally dependent on the normal progression of monsoon rainfall. However, the dependency on monsoon rainfall for kharif crop output has been gradually declining, according to an analysis by India Ratings and Research (Ind-Ra).

Earlier this year, the IMD’s first long-range forecast predicted an above-normal southwest monsoon (106% of the long-period average) for this year. Skymet, a private weather forecasting agency, also forecasted a normal monsoon. India receives over 70% of its annual rainfall during the southwest monsoon period, making timely and adequate monsoon rains crucial for the economy. Nearly 45% of India’s population depends on agriculture, which relies heavily on rainfall.

Since 2003, the IMD has been releasing its first-stage forecast for southwest monsoon rainfall in April. These forecasts are essential for farmers, policymakers, and investors to make informed decisions for the upcoming kharif season.