Mumbai: The southwest monsoon has slowed down sharply at the start of the season, raising concerns about a dry June across much of the country. Even in Mumbai, the monsoon is running about a week behind schedule, leaving the financial capital with a massive rainfall deficit of 300 to 350 mm in the first three weeks of June.

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What's Behind The Slowdown Of Southwest Monsoon?

According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the sluggish start to the season is primarily due to a lack of favourable weather systems, weak equatorial winds, and an unfavourable Madden-Julian Oscillation (MJO) position, which has blocked the flow of moisture towards the north.

This has left Mumbai eagerly awaiting the southwest monsoon, which is now running about a week behind schedule. Despite a normal arrival date of June 11, the monsoon had still not arrived by Saturday, Jagran.com reported.

When Will Monsoon Reach Mumbai?

According to a bulletin issued by the IMD on June 20, conditions are favourable for the southwest monsoon to advance into other parts of Maharashtra around June 23.

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Will Stalled Monsoon Break Mumbai's Multi-Year Drought Records?

With three weeks of June already gone, meteorologists warn that if the current dry spell persists, Mumbai is on the verge of breaking its multi-year drought records.

"As per the IMD's Santacruz cumulative rainfall data from June 1, Mumbai should have recorded between 300 mm and 350 mm of cumulative rainfall till June 20. However, current tracking shows that the city's main suburban rain gauge is struggling to keep pace with its long-term average in the first three weeks of June. The city received over 10 mm of rain in the first week of June, but has received almost no rainfall since then," the IMD said.

Meteorologists attribute the sluggish pace of the monsoon to a lack of favourable weather systems, which are crucial for sustaining rainfall across the country during the rainy season.

Speaking to The Indian Express, an IMD official said that while strong monsoon currents previously triggered widespread cloud cover and heavy rain, their intensity has sharply dropped in recent days.

Compounding the issue, a significant weakening of low-level southwesterly winds has reduced the northward flow of moisture, severely limiting rainfall in northern Maharashtra and further inland.

(With Inputs From Jagran.com)