Where Is the Monsoon? IMD Issues Fresh Update as Heatwave Intensifies Across India

After remaining stalled since 29 May, the southwest monsoon is likely to regain momentum and move northward from 14 June. According to forecasts by the India Meteorological Department (IMD) and private weather agency Skymet Weather, new weather systems forming over the Bay of Bengal are expected to trigger this renewed progress.

Currently, monsoon activity is limited to regions like Mumbai in the west and parts of Sikkim and Sub-Himalayan West Bengal in the east. Its advancement has been on pause, affecting the seasonal rainfall pattern and intensifying summer conditions in several regions, according to a Economic Times report.

Experts believe that multiple cyclonic systems developing over the Bay of Bengal will play a key role in reviving the monsoon. GP Sharma, President of Skymet Weather, explained that one system already active over the west-central Bay is set to bring showers to Andhra Pradesh, Rayalaseema, and Karnataka. By the weekend, these rains are expected to extend to Konkan and Goa.

Another circulation is expected to emerge over the north Bay of Bengal around 14 June.

According to Sharma, the combined influence of these systems should bring back stronger rainfall in areas where the monsoon has weakened and help push it into the remaining parts of Bihar, West Bengal, Jharkhand, East Madhya Pradesh, and Chhattisgarh. He added that the northern boundary of the monsoon is also set to expand, offering some relief from the current heatwave across northern India.

An official from the IMD said weather conditions are becoming more favourable for the monsoon to move into central and eastern India by mid-June. However, confirmation of the second Bay of Bengal system is still awaited.

Another active cyclonic circulation over north Odisha is already strengthening monsoon winds. From 12 June, regions in South Maharashtra are expected to receive significant rainfall. Kerala and Karnataka are also witnessing a pickup in monsoon activity, with light to moderate showers likely to continue over the coming days.

Meanwhile, heatwave conditions persist in several parts of northern and northwestern India. High temperatures continue in regions like northern Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, and parts of Uttar Pradesh. The IMD has reported severe heatwave levels in isolated areas of Rajasthan and Punjab.

However, with monsoon systems predicted to move westward, temperatures are likely to drop gradually starting 13 June. The IMD noted that no monsoon advancement was observed on 10 June, but further progress is expected as a weather system near the Odisha coast moves inland

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