After weeks of unseasonal downpours, Maharashtra has officially welcomed the monsoon — 12 days ahead of schedule. The early arrival has brought a sense of relief and happiness among citizens, even as parts of the state, including Mumbai, continue to grapple with heavy rainfall. For the past 15 days, unseasonal rains have disrupted daily life and caused significant damage to agriculture across various regions. However, with the official onset of the monsoon, declared by the India Meteorological Department (IMD) today, hopes are rising for more stable and predictable weather patterns.
Traditionally, the monsoon reaches Maharashtra around June 7, but this year marks a rare early arrival — the first time in 16 years that the monsoon has entered the state in the month of May. According to Shubhangi Bhute, head of the Regional Meteorological Department, the monsoon has already reached the Konkan region up to Devgad as of Sunday. Mumbai has experienced consistent rainfall since early Monday morning. While the monsoon has not yet officially reached the city, favorable conditions suggest it will arrive within the next three days.
A red alert has been issued for Mumbai, and a yellow alert for Thane, as heavy rainfall continues to affect the region. The IMD has also predicted above-average rainfall for Maharashtra this year, with seasonal precipitation expected to reach up to 107% of the normal levels. The early monsoon is also attributed to favorable weather conditions following its arrival in Kerala and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands last week, which set the stage for its advance into Maharashtra. While the rain has caused disruption in some areas, its timely arrival is being welcomed, especially by farmers hoping to recover from recent agricultural losses.