In a statement issued on Thursday, IMD Mumbai said the monsoon had advanced over parts of South Konkan and adjoining areas of South Madhya Maharashtra on June 8. However, further progress has since slowed significantly.
According to the weather department, the current monsoon circulation lacks a strong surge from the Arabian Sea, a key factor that typically drives moisture incursion and widespread rainfall necessary for the monsoon's advancement.
The IMD noted that low-level southwesterly winds associated with the monsoon system have weakened over the Arabian Sea, reducing moisture transport towards Maharashtra’s coastal and interior regions.
The department further explained that the cross-equatorial flow over the western Indian Ocean and Arabian Sea—an important source of moisture for the Southwest Monsoon—has weakened in recent weeks, contributing to subdued monsoon activity across the region.
The absence of significant weather systems such as low-pressure areas, cyclonic circulations over the Arabian Sea or Bay of Bengal, and a sufficiently strong offshore trough along the west coast has also limited conditions conducive for monsoon progression.
In addition, prevailing large-scale atmospheric circulation patterns, including the Madden-Julian Oscillation (MJO), are currently not providing strong support for the advancement of the monsoon over the remaining parts of Maharashtra.
The delayed progress comes amid concerns over below-normal rainfall across several parts of the country during the first half of June. Meteorologists, however, indicate that monsoon activity could revive once favourable atmospheric conditions re-establish over the Arabian Sea and surrounding regions.
The IMD continues to closely monitor evolving weather patterns and is expected to provide further updates on monsoon advancement in the coming days.
