Southwest Monsoon: Early Arrival in Mumbai and Northeast Spells Good News for Agriculture

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) reported that the southwest monsoon arrived in Mumbai two days early on June 4, following an early onset over Kerala and the northeastern regions on May 30. Cyclone Remal influenced the monsoonal flow, resulting in a rare simultaneous onset in Kerala and the northeast.

The southwest monsoon reached Mumbai on June 4, two days earlier than usual, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD). This follows an early onset over Kerala and the northeastern region on May 30.

The IMD indicated that Cyclone Remal, which hit West Bengal and Bangladesh by the end of May, affected the monsoonal flow, leading to a rare simultaneous onset in Kerala and the northeast.

With above-normal rainfall forecasted for several key agricultural regions, the monsoon season is critical for India’s agriculture, impacting over 52% of the cultivated area. The season holds significant importance as it refills reservoirs essential for drinking water and power generation.