Good news: Monsoon to be above normal, before schedule as El Niño weakens

Steady progress in June; north and central region to get good pre-showers

As of now, the southwest monsoon is expected to arrive before the usual time over the mainland. And, to progress steadily thereafter over the western parts, delivering above-normal rain in June, first month of the four-month season. 

Normal rain in June is 164 mm. In July and August, respectively 289 mm and 269 mm. “After its onset on May 29-30, the southwest monsoon is expected to make steady progress over the west coast, southern peninsular India and even the east and northeast,” says Mahesh Palawat, chief meteorologist at private weather forecasting agency Skymet.

He said Chhattisgarh and Vidarbha were expected