Monsoon 2026: Delhi awaits relief, Mumbai faces delay

The southwest monsoon officially commenced its journey in India on June 4, entering Kerala and primarily progressing through the Bay of Bengal branch. This has led to quicker advancement in eastern and northeastern states, with the India Meteorological Department (IMD) confirming its expansion into more areas of the northeast, West Bengal, Sikkim, and several southern states.

Conditions are favorable for the monsoon's further progression into central and eastern regions. However, large metropolitan areas are experiencing a mixed outlook. Delhi-NCR is under a yellow alert, anticipating pre-monsoon showers, thunderstorms, and strong winds, offering some respite from the heat.

In contrast, Mumbai faces a delay in monsoon 2026's arrival, with its progression along the western coast slowing. While the monsoon is expected to reach South Maharashtra and South Konkan within the next four to five days, high temperatures are predicted to persist in Mumbai until then.

Meanwhile, eastern cities like Kolkata and Hyderabad, along with surrounding districts, are already witnessing thunderstorms and lightning. Reports indicate the monsoon has covered remaining northeastern states, Sikkim, and parts of West Bengal, Bihar, Karnataka, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, and Tamil Nadu by June 11.

Heavy rainfall alerts, including orange alerts for Bihar, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Assam, and Madhya Pradesh, have been issued. Isolated heavy rainfall is also expected in several other states until June 16, signaling continued advancement. Despite these developments, heatwave conditions persist in specific regions like Marathwada and West Rajasthan, underscoring the uneven weather distribution.

Further analysis by the IMD points to an ocean-atmospheric system creating El Nino conditions in the equatorial Pacific, a phenomenon observed in previous years like 2002, 2009, 2015, and 2023, with its potential impact on the 2026 monsoon rainfall patterns being monitored.