The normal date of onset of monsoon in Kerala (from where the monsoon journey begins in India) is June 1 each year.
This year, the monsoon was predicted on June 4. It reached Kerala on June 8th, 2023.
With this, the monsoon season has begun in India.
Image Credit: imd.gov.in
Rains in Eastern India
East and Northeast India got a relief from a two-month long heat spell over the last two days, as heavy rains lashed Bengal, Meghalaya, Assam, and some other regions in the Northeast.
Meghalaya has one of the highest rainfalls in the world. It depends on these rains for its power generation (hydel power). For the last few weeks, Meghalaya was experiencing almost 8-10 hours of load shedding (no power) because of low water levels.
Umiam Lake, the man-made lake that is also the largest reservoir for Meghalaya, was at its all time highest levels.
West Coast – Cyclone Biparjoy
On the West Coast, we currently observe a cyclonic formation. This cyclone has been named Biparjoy. It is currently impacting the Valsad coast in Gujarat. Fishermen have been advised to not go out and boats were called back on June 9th. High tidal waves were observed on the beaches of Gujarat.
The Indian Met Department has released the following graphic showing the observed and predicted path of the cyclonic formation.
The cyclone has not made landfall yet and it is unclear where it might make landfall.