Chandigarh, June 13
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Friday stated that meteorological conditions have become favourable for the further advancement of the southwest monsoon across India, including Punjab and Haryana, over the coming days.
After stalling for nearly two weeks, the monsoon is set to regain momentum, bringing much-needed relief to parts of Northwest India, which have been reeling under severe heatwave conditions.
Over the past few days, Punjab, Haryana, and the Western Himalayan region witnessed extreme temperatures, with the mercury soaring above normal levels in many districts.
The IMD forecast suggests that the monsoon is likely to advance over parts of Gujarat, West Bengal, Jharkhand, and Bihar within three days, followed by gradual progress towards northwestern states, including Punjab and Haryana. The monsoon is expected to become active between June 17–21, depending on wind and pressure conditions.
“The monsoon, which began early this year on May 24 in Kerala, had temporarily stalled by May 29. However, conditions are now conducive for its steady progress,” the IMD said in its latest bulletin.
While parts of southern India and the Konkan-Goa region are expected to receive heavy to very heavy rainfall in the next few days, Northwest India, including Punjab and Haryana, will initially continue to face heatwave to severe heatwave conditions for the next 48 hours before cooling trends begin.
According to IMD data, above-normal rainfall is forecast over Central and South Peninsular India, while Northwest India, including Punjab and Haryana, is likely to receive normal rainfall (92–108% of the Long Period Average) during the entire monsoon season (June to September).
The early onset of monsoon and the IMD’s upgraded forecast—106% of the Long Period Average (LPA), up from 105% in April—have raised hopes for better Kharif crop sowing and improved agricultural output. For agrarian states like Punjab and Haryana, this brings optimism amid ongoing climate and groundwater concerns.
Farmers and agricultural planners across the region are closely monitoring the situation, with sowing preparations already underway in anticipation of timely rainfall.
