Monsoon covers entire country 6 days in advance

New Delhi: The southwest monsoon advanced into the remaining parts of North Arabian Sea, Gujarat and Rajasthan, covering the entire country on Saturday, six days before the normal date of July 8, said the India Meteorological Department (IMD).

The weather office has forecast enhanced rainfall over Odisha, Gujarat, Konkan, Goa, central India and north-western India in the next few days. Rainfall deficit stood at 8% on Saturday, within the 'normal' categorisation of the IMD. The weather office terms it 'below normal' when the deficiency touches 10%.

Despite its early onset over Kerala, the southwest monsoon entered a weak phase, creating a rainfall deficit of 43% by June 11. It entered the active phase, causing rainfall over several parts of the country and lowering the deficit.


From June 1 to July 1, the cumulative average monsoon rainfall was 171.5 mm, 5% less than the normal volume of 180.8 mm, said the IMD.