The southwest monsoon arrived in Maharashtra on Friday, adhering to its normal schedule for the state despite a delayed onset over Kerala earlier this week, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD). The development comes as a positive sign for farmers and residents awaiting relief from summer temperatures and the start of the crucial agricultural season.

The monsoon reached Kerala on June 4, three days later than its normal onset date of June 1 and significantly behind the IMD's earlier forecast of May 26. However, weather officials noted that the system advanced rapidly after making landfall, covering large portions of the west coast up to Goa by June 5 before entering Maharashtra on June 6.

In its latest update, the IMD said the southwest monsoon has progressed into additional parts of the west-central and east-central Arabian Sea, Karnataka, the entire Goa region, sections of Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh, most parts of Tamil Nadu, and the southwest Bay of Bengal. The weather system has also expanded into further areas of the west-central, northeast and northwest Bay of Bengal, as well as parts of Mizoram and Manipur.

Also Read: IMD Issues Rain And Thunderstorm Alert For 25 Rajasthan Districts

According to the IMD, the current Northern Limit of Monsoon passes through Devgad in Maharashtra's Konkan region, Koppal in Karnataka, Anantapuramu in Andhra Pradesh and Chennai in Tamil Nadu. These markers indicate the advancing edge of the monsoon as it continues its seasonal movement across the country.

Meteorologists have forecast favourable conditions for further advancement over the next two to three days. The monsoon is expected to spread into more areas of Maharashtra, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh, along with parts of Telangana, the remaining regions of Tamil Nadu, and additional sections of the Arabian Sea, Bay of Bengal and northeastern India.

The timely arrival of the monsoon in Maharashtra is expected to bring widespread rainfall to several parts of the state, offering relief from heatwave conditions and replenishing water resources. The onset is also crucial for the agriculture sector, as farmers prepare for sowing operations that depend heavily on consistent monsoon rainfall during the coming months.

Also Read: Delhi-NCR Likely To See Thunderstorms, Rain Under IMD Yellow Alert