Monsoon 2022: Southwest Monsoon To Arrive In Kerala By May 27, Will It Bring Respite For Northwest India?

The early arrival of the southwest monsoon is expected at a time when parts of northwest India were experiencing extremely high maximum temperatures.

New Delhi: Southwest monsoon is likely to bring the first showers to Kerala by May 27, five days earlier than the normal onset date, according to the weather office. The South-west monsoon is considered as the lifeline of India's agri-based economy. "This year, the onset of southwest monsoon over Kerala is likely to be earlier than the normal date of onset. The monsoon onset over Kerala is likely to be on May 27 with a model error of four days," India Meteorological Department (IMD) stated last week.

In 2009, the southwest monsoon had reached Kerala on May 23.

According to news agency PTI, weather scientists attribute the early onset of southwest monsoon over Kerala to the influence of the remnants of cyclone Asani which triggered the cross-equatorial flow, a key factor for the seasonal rains.

The early arrival of the southwest monsoon is expected at a time when parts of northwest India were experiencing extremely high maximum temperatures.

Last week, the weather office had forecast the onset of the southwest monsoon over the Andaman & Nicobar islands on May 15, nearly a week ahead of schedule.

"In association with enhanced cross-equatorial winds, conditions are becoming favorable for the advance of Southwest Monsoon into South Andaman Sea, Nicobar Islands and some parts of southeast Bay of Bengal, around May 15," the IMD stated.

Notably, the IMD has made it clear that past data suggests there is no association of the date of monsoon advance over the Andaman Sea either with the date of monsoon onset over Kerala or with the seasonal monsoon rainfall over the country.

The IMD said due to strong westerly flow from the Arabian Sea to south peninsular India in lower tropospheric levels fairly widespread light/moderate rainfall with isolated thunderstorm/lightning/gusty winds likely over Kerala, Mahe, Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and Karaikal, south interior Karnataka and Lakshadweep.

Dust Storm, Cyclonic Circulation To Bring Relief To Delhi, Punjab, Haryana

Delhiites woke up to a partly cloudy sky on Monday morning with the meteorological department forecasting a thunderstorm or dust storm in the national capital that could bring down the mercury by a few notches thereby providing temporary relief from the sweltering heat.

The MeT department said a cyclonic circulation over Punjab and Haryana will induce pre-monsoon activity that will provide some relief from the intense heat on Monday and Tuesday.

The IMD said a thunderstorm or a dust storm is likely in the national capital on Monday.

The minimum temperature on Monday morning was recorded at 30.8 degrees Celsius, four notches above normal. The relative humidity was at 22 per cent.

The maximum temperature is likely to settle around 41 degrees Celsius.

(With Agency Inputs)