India’s Monsoon Set for Historic Surge: 106% of Normal Levels Expected, Shattering May Rain Records in Mumbai!

The southwest monsoon has arrived in Mumbai earlier than ever, hitting on May 29. This milestone breaks a record that had stood since 1956. The city saw an astonishing 295 mm of rain in May, with the Colaba observatory logging 439 mm, surpassing the previous 100-year record of 279.4 mm set in 1918.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecasts monsoon rains from June to September to be 106% of the long-term average. This indicates above-normal rainfall, which is good news for many farmers. In April, forecasts had also pointed to above-normal rainfall of 105% for the season.

Interestingly, the monsoon reached Kerala on May 24—eight days ahead of the usual June 1 date. In June, most of India can expect typical to cooler-than-normal temperatures, except for some parts of northwest and northeast India.

The weather has been extreme elsewhere too. In Uttar Pradesh, heavy rain and lightning have claimed at least 34 lives, affecting 15 districts. Fatalities were primarily due to falling trees and lightning strikes.

In response to such extreme weather, the Indian government has launched the Bharat Forecast System. This high-resolution forecasting tool can make predictions down to the panchayat level. It’s already shown improvement in predicting heavy rainfall events and cyclone tracking, which is critical as incidents of severe weather increase.

Experts warn that climate change is intensifying these events. India’s Environment Minister, Bhupender Yadav, pointed out that the Himalayan glaciers are retreating due to global warming, putting downstream water security at risk.

Globally, the situation is similarly alarming. In 2024, forest loss reached an unprecedented high, driven by climate-fueled fires. Brazil accounted for a staggering 42% of all tropical rainforest loss, with Bolivia quickly following due to harmful agricultural practices.

Furthermore, cotton farming in Maharashtra is depleting groundwater at alarming rates. Recent reports reveal that in some regions, extraction rates have surged significantly—over 14% between 2013 and 2023. This raises serious concerns about food security in water-scarce areas. Experts are calling for better monitoring and policy changes to promote sustainable practices in cotton farming.

These issues highlight the urgent need for better climate management and sustainable agricultural practices as extreme weather becomes the new normal. For more insights on climate change impacts, check out resources from the India Meteorological Department.

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