No sign of Monsoon in Mumbai

 

Drizzle on Sunday along with cloudy weather may have sparked hopes of the Onset of Southwest Monsoon in Mumbai but according to Skymet Meteorology Division in India, Monsoon is likely to take a few more days before it finally appears in the financial city of India. Due to the recent cyclonic storm Ashobaa in the Arabian Sea, the pre-Monsoon activity which should have become active by now has also not picked up.

The pre-Monsoon showers in March, April and May remained low key. June too began on a dry note in Mumbai and city received only 5.2 mm of rain till now from 6^th -8^th June. To make situation worse, high levels of humidity and rising day temperatures resulted in extremely warm and humid days that have left residents of Mumbai stuck in a discomforting situation.

Temperatures that are settling 2-3 degrees above normal in several parts of Maharashtra are a concern and Mumbaikars are eagerly waiting for the arrival of Monsoon that will enable relief from this intense heat. While the day temperature settled at 36.4°C in Mumbai on 9^th June, three degrees above normal, it was 41°C in Nagpur, two notches above normal.

Delay of Monsoon in Mumbai

While the official date for onset of Southwest Monsoon in Mumbai is June 10^th, this year, a delay of 3-4 days is in place. The reason is mainly due to the recent cyclonic storm Ashobaa that has moved away from the Indian coast and has taken away a lot of moisture and winds along with it as it is on its way to Oman. According to Skymet, till the time strong southwesterly winds appear along the west Coast, Monsoon will be subdued and pre-Monsoon activity will also be confined to light, scattered rain in Mumbai for next 2-3 days after which Monsoon is expected to hit Mumbai.

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