With the revival of south-west monsoon (June-September) a week back after its stalling for a fortnight, the rains are back on track, and is likely to reach northern regions over the next couple of days, India Meteorological Department (IMD) said on Sunday.

“Conditions are favourable for further advance of southwest monsoon over remaining parts of north Arabian sea, Rajasthan, Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, Delhi and remaining parts of west Uttar Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh and Jammu during next two days,” IMD stated in a statement.

With the revival of monsoon, the huge deficit in rains during the first fortnight of June, has been erased.

Akshay Deoras, research scientist, National Centre for Atmosphere Science, University of Reading, United Kingdom, had said that after remaining stuck for over two weeks since beginning of June due to an intrusion of dry air from arid regions to the west and northwest of India, the monsoon restarted its progression from June 16.

“It is progressing rapidly at present and has already advanced into eastern, western, and central India. It will advance into Chandigarh, Punjab, Haryana, Delhi-NCR by June 25 and will continue advancing into Rajasthan thereafter,” Deoras told FE.

Weather experts have predicted rainfall over the next 10 days is expected to be enhanced in central and northern India, with Delhi-NCR and Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand and Punjab expected to receive adequate rainfall.

Rainfall during June 1 – 22, according to the met department, was 106 millimeter which is just 1% below the benchmark – long period average (LPA).

The monsoon set over Kerala coast on May 24, eight days ahead of the normal date of June 1. This was the earliest onset of monsoon in 16 years.

Typically, the southwest monsoon after onset over Kerala coast in early June covers the entire country by July. The monsoon rains start gradually receding from the north region from the middle of September.

The met department last month had reiterated its earlier forecast of ‘above normal’ monsoon rainfall at 106% of LPA during June-September this year, but said June might see “excess” rainfall.

There is also 90% chances of the rains being in the “normal-to-excess” range through the four-month (June-September) season, the met department has stated.

Around 75% of India’s annual rainfall occurs during the monsoon season, which replenishes water reservoirs, rivers, lakes, and groundwater, which are vital for irrigation and drinking water supplies.

Meanwhile, with the progress of monsoon, sowing of kharif crops – paddy, pulses, oilseeds have commenced on a brisk note. The area under the ongoing kharif crop sowing has gone up to 8.92 million hectare in the first forth-night so far this year, marginally higher than compared to previous year.