Delayed progression of Southwest Monsoon 2024 in Gujarat

Gandhinagar: The southwest monsoon, which typically enters the state of Gujarat by June 15, arrived 4 days early this year on June 11th. However, since then, it has shown a sluggish and weakened progression.

Making its onset in Navsari, located in southern Gujarat, the monsoon rains have struggled to advance northward, leaving most parts of the state waiting for rain.

Typically, the southwest monsoon enters South Gujarat around June 15th, reaches Ahmedabad by June 20th, and covers Saurashtra and the Rajkot-Jamnagar area by June 25th, completing its journey in Kutch by June 30th. However, this year, conditions are not favorable for the monsoon’s progress. The state is not experiencing weather systems such as monsoon lows or cyclones that facilitate the monsoon’s advance.

The latest forecast from the Indian Meteorological Department also states, “Conditions are favorable for the further advancement of the southwest monsoon into some parts of Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, Odisha, coastal Andhra Pradesh, Northeast Bay of Bengal, some parts of Gangetic West Bengal, remaining parts of sub-Himalayan West Bengal, and some parts of Bihar during the next 4-5 days.”

Consequently, Gujarat might face a delay in receiving substantial monsoon rains, with only light rain expected in coastal areas over the next week.

As of June 14, the slow progression of the monsoon has resulted in 12% less rain across the entire country compared to the average rainfall.

Despite the slow progress, some parts of the state experienced intermittent showers as part of pre-monsoon activity. By the morning of June 15, Gujarat had received just 0.99% of its average rainfall for the season.

The weakened progression of the southwest monsoon has raised concerns among farmers and residents alike. The delay in widespread monsoon rains could potentially impact agricultural activities and water resources, crucial for the state’s sustenance. DeshGujarat