Southwest Monsoon is very likely to advance into South #Andaman Sea, some parts of Southeast Bay of Bengal and Nicobar Islands around 19th May, 2024

The Southwest Monsoon is set to advance into the South Andaman Sea, some parts of the Southeast Bay of Bengal, and the Nicobar Islands around May 19, 2024, as per the normal schedule. This progression is part of the larger monsoon season that significantly impacts South India. The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) forecasts that the country is expected to receive 'above' normal rainfall during the June-September period, due to favorable ocean-atmosphere conditions.

South India, particularly Kerala, is the first state in the country to receive monsoon rains, with the onset traditionally occurring around June 1. The monsoon season in India is crucial for agriculture, as it provides the necessary water for the cultivation of rain-fed Kharif crops like rice, soybeans, cotton, and pulses. The monsoon season typically lasts for four months, from June to September. The onset of the monsoon is marked by the arrival of the monsoon winds from the Arabian Sea, which split into two branches: one over the Arabian Sea, causing rainfall along India's western coast, and another over the Bay of Bengal, moving towards the eastern coast. The monsoon winds are attracted by a low-pressure area over the Thar Desert in Rajasthan, which is caused by the extreme heat during the summer. In 2024, the IMD has predicted the seasonal precipitation to be about 99% of the long-period average, which would amount to 86.13 cm. This prediction is based on the precipitation recorded between 1971-2020. The monsoon season is crucial for the overall economy of the subcontinent, as it impacts not only agriculture but also the environment, hydro-power production, and the health of water bodies.