Amid a yellow alert in Mumbai, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) announced that the south west monsoon entered Maharashtra on Thursday, with senior scientists stating that it is slated to make an onset in the city over the next two-three days. “South west monsoon has advanced into some more parts of the central Arabian Sea, most parts of Karnataka, some more parts of Maharashtra, Telangana & coastal Andhra Pradesh, most parts of West Central Bay of Bengal and some more parts of Northwest Bay of Bengal,” said the IMD Mumbai on Thursday afternoon. Speaking to The Indian Express, Sunil Kamble, director of IMD Mumbai, said, “The south west monsoon has reached parts of South Konkan till Sindhudurg, Kolhapur, Ratnagiri and Satara. It is expected to reach Mumbai until Sunday (June 9).” The weather bureau has also sounded a yellow alert for Mumbai and its neighbouring districts of Thane and Raigad, adding that thunderstorms and moderate showers, which are typical pre-monsoon features, will sweep the city. The warning is expected to be in place till June 10, even as pockets of Mumbai as well as the suburbs witnessed mild showers Thursday morning. While hot and humid conditions prevailed in the city in the afternoon with maximum temperature at 35.6 degrees Celsius in the suburbs, a nowcast warning for thunderstorms and rain activity was sounded on Thursday evening. Weather experts, echoed IMD scientists’ view that conditions are favourable for the further progression of monsoon in Mumbai around the regular timeframe, which is between June 10 and 11. Mahesh Palawat from Skymet Weather Services said, “Monsoon surge is active over the west coast that is likely to bring the onset in Mumbai as well as its neighbouring districts over the next three-four days. There is also a developing cyclonic circulation, which may enhance rain activity.” Monsoon onset in Mumbai over the years 2023: June 25 2022: June 11 2021: June 9 2020: June 14 2019: June 25 2018: June 9
