Met dept projects monsoon revival across Maharashtra from June 13

After a brief dry spell following the early onset of the southwest monsoon, Maharashtra is now poised to receive widespread rainfall beginning June 13 with the India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecasting a monsoon revival.

- Gayatri Vajpeyee

PUNE:

Weather experts attribute the expected increase in rainfall activity to the development of weather systems over the Bay of Bengal and strengthening of westerly winds from the Arabian Sea.

The southwest monsoon arrived unusually early in Maharashtra on May 25—14 days ahead of its normal onset—and covered nearly 45% of the state including major cities such as Mumbai, Pune and Ahilya Nagar within 24 hours. After this swift progression however, the monsoon stalled on May 27, leading to a dry spell across several areas. The unexpected pause left farmers uncertain about the time to sow the Kharif crop. Now after a two-week hiatus, the IMD has indicated that conditions favourable for the monsoon to regain momentum are developing. The revival is expected to bring much-needed rainfall across the state, helping relieve agricultural concerns and water stress in many areas.