Mumbai: Monsoon Likely To Hit Maharashtra Capital By This Date As IMD Expects On-Schedule Arrival

The southwest monsoon is expected to arrive in Mumbai in June aligned with its typical onset date of June 11. The monsoon has already reached Andaman and is forecast to reach Kerala on May 31.

Monsoon 2024: People watch the dark clouds hovering over Kerala's Kochi during pre-monsoon showers on Friday, May 24, 2024. ( Image Source :PTI )

 As the southwest monsoon is anticipated to reach Kerala on May 31, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast that Mumbai will likely experience the monsoon onset around June 10, consistent with the usual arrival date. The official onset date will be confirmed after observing monsoon developments in Kerala. The IMD recently announced that the southwest monsoon had advanced into parts of the country. "Southwest Monsoon 2024 has advanced into some parts of Maldives & Comorin area and some parts of the South Bay of Bengal, Nicobar Islands and South Andaman Sea today, the 19th May, 2024," stated the IMD.

Having reached Andaman, the monsoon is expected to arrive in Mumbai between June 10 – 11, according to senior IMD officials, The Indian Express reported.

Speaking to The Indian Express, Sunil Kamble, director of IMD Mumbai, said, "Currently, the southwest monsoon has arrived in Andaman, and on May 31, it is expected to reach Kerala. Accordingly, the monsoon is anticipated to arrive in Mumbai between June 10 – 11. While there could be a variation of 3 – 4 days, we expect the monsoon to arrive on schedule."

He added, "The actual date of monsoon onset in Mumbai will be announced later after monitoring the developments in Kerala at the end of this month."

Pre-Monsoon Activity Expected To Commence In Mumbai By End Of May

Mahesh Palawat from Skymet Weather Services informed, "Pre-monsoon activity is expected to commence in Mumbai by the end of this month. Isolated pockets may receive light rain in the first week of June, which will intensify as the southwest monsoon sets in", The Indian Express reported.

Traditionally, the official monsoon onset date in Mumbai is June 11. However, last year, the monsoon arrival was delayed by nearly two weeks due to various weather conditions, including Cyclone Biparjoy.

Meteorologists have indicated that pre-monsoon showers are likely to start in Maharashtra by the end of May, with the monsoon onset expected in the second week of June.

Meanwhile, Mumbai continued to experience hot and humid conditions on Thursday, with maximum temperatures reaching nearly 35 degrees Celsius in both the city and suburbs. IMD scientists predict that high humidity levels will persist for at least the next two to three days.