India’s Southwest Monsoon Tracker 2026: Mumbai awaits official onset; heavy rain batters West Bengal, Tamil Nadu

India’s Southwest Monsoon Tracker 2026: Mumbai on Edge as West Bengal and Tamil Nadu Experience Intense Rainfall

Theindiapostdaily.com – As of late June 2026, India’s southwest monsoon is progressing at varying rates across different regions. While Mumbai remains in suspense for the official start, parts of West Bengal and Tamil Nadu are already witnessing heavy downpours. The monsoon’s uneven advance has sparked early worries about the kharif crop season and its potential impact on food prices.

Mumbai’s Weather Alert

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) raised an Orange alert for the city on June 22, citing forecasts from the India Meteorological Department (IMD) for thunderstorms, lightning, and strong winds. These conditions are anticipated in isolated pockets, with wind speeds possibly reaching 30-40 kmph. In the morning, areas like Bandra East experienced pre-monsoon showers, leading to localized waterlogging and traffic interruptions.

The monsoon onset in Mumbai was expected on Monday or Tuesday. However, the IMD will declare it official only after all necessary criteria are fulfilled. Normally arriving around June 10, this year’s progress has been delayed due to unfavorable weather patterns.

Regional Rainfall Trends

West Bengal’s northern regions, particularly Alipurduar and Jalpaiguri, are facing severe weather as heavy rains swept through Kolkata and surrounding areas on June 21. Traffic came to a halt in many locations, with NEET re-test candidates struggling to reach exam centers. Meanwhile, Tamil Nadu and Goa are bracing for significant rainfall, with the Ghat regions of Tirunelveli predicted to see substantial downpours through Monday.

Goa received light showers on June 21, ahead of a two-day alert. The state’s average temperature was four degrees above normal, though reservoirs are currently holding enough water to sustain demand for about a month. In Tamil Nadu, Aavoor in Thiruvarur district recorded 14 cm of rain in 25 hours, prompting warnings for squally conditions over the Bay of Bengal.

Heatwave Concerns

Heatwave conditions persist in central India, affecting regions like Vidarbha, East Madhya Pradesh, and East Uttar Pradesh for 4-5 days. Chhattisgarh faces a three-day heatwave, while Telangana remains under a heatwave alert for two additional days. The IMD forecasts the monsoon to extend into Maharashtra, Telangana, Odisha, Jharkhand, and Bihar by June 23.

Meanwhile, the Konkan and Goa regions are set for intensified rainfall between June 23 and 27, with thunderstorms potentially reaching 60 kmph. This weather shift highlights the complex interplay between seasonal rainfall and extreme heat across the subcontinent.

Impact on Kharif Crops

Agricultural forecasts reveal a worrying 38% rainfall deficit as of June 17, compared to the seasonal average. Nearly 66% of districts have received below-normal precipitation, raising concerns for kharif sowing. As of June 12, kharif planting had dropped 3.9% from the previous year, with pulses and cotton sowing declining by 43.2% and 28% respectively. However, rice sowing increased by 28.4%, offering some optimism.

Reservoir levels, at 28.3% of total capacity on June 11, remain 16% higher than the ten-year average. The upcoming July–August period will be crucial in determining the overall success of the monsoon season for agriculture.

With inputs from PTI and ANI.