Kolkata, 12 June (H.S.) - After nearly a week of sluggish progress, the southwest monsoon may regain momentum, thanks to a new weather system forming over the Bay of Bengal. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Wednesday indicated signs of renewed monsoon activity, offering some relief from the intense heat gripping several parts of the country.

According to the IMD, a cyclonic circulation has developed over the west-central Bay of Bengal near the Andhra Pradesh coast. This system is expected to reinvigorate the monsoonal flow, which had stalled after making an early and rapid onset.

The monsoon had entered Kerala on May 24, almost a week ahead of its normal schedule of June 1. By May 29, it had reached parts of North Bengal. However, its advance stalled soon after, and for the past several days, the monsoon remained nearly inactive across the country.

Due to the monsoon’s stalling, southern West Bengal continues to reel under intense heat and dry conditions, with no immediate respite in sight. In contrast, northern West Bengal is expected to see continued rainfall activity, as per the latest forecasts.

Meteorologists explain that the monsoon typically advances in phases rather than in a continuous stream. Moist winds from the south need supportive oceanic systems to move inland. When such systems do not develop after the initial onset, the monsoon tends to stagnate. The new system near the Andhra Pradesh coast could now help revive the stalled monsoon flow.

So far, the country has received only 26.4 millimetres of rainfall since the start of the season, well below the normal average of 40.1 millimetres for this period. In eastern India, rainfall has also lagged behind, with only 71.3 millimetres recorded against the seasonal average of 93.3 millimetres.

Weather officials are closely monitoring the evolving system and expect an uptick in pre-monsoon showers in southern regions, potentially setting the stage for a renewed northward march of the monsoon in the coming days.

Hindusthan Samachar / Satya Prakash Singh