Positive Turn: Southwest Monsoon Set to Resume After Two-Week Break

Location: New Delhi | Date: June 11, 2025

Southwest Monsoon Brings Relief After Prolonged Pause

After a two-week lull, the southwest monsoon is expected to regain momentum starting Thursday, bringing much-needed relief to several parched regions across the country. According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), favorable conditions are building up for the southwest monsoon to become active again and advance further into parts of Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, and Odisha in the coming days.

The return of the southwest monsoon is being hailed as a welcome development, especially after concerns over delayed rainfall patterns affected agricultural activities in key farming regions. The upcoming spell is expected to be crucial for sowing operations, particularly in rain-fed areas that heavily rely on monsoonal rains for crop cultivation.

IMD Predicts Revival of Southwest Monsoon

The IMD stated on Wednesday that a cyclonic circulation over the Bay of Bengal and strengthening westerly winds are contributing factors to the resumption of the southwest monsoon. This development comes after the monsoon stalled over southern parts of India due to unfavorable atmospheric conditions and a lack of moisture-laden winds.

“Conditions are becoming favorable for further advancement of the southwest monsoon into more parts of Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, Odisha, coastal Andhra Pradesh, and northwest Bay of Bengal,” the IMD said in a statement.

The southwest monsoon typically progresses in phases, and a break in its flow is not uncommon. However, the two-week pause raised concerns among farmers and policymakers about possible drought-like conditions if the delay were to continue.

Key Agricultural Zones Await Rainfall

The delay in the southwest monsoon had already started to impact agricultural planning in regions such as Vidarbha, Marathwada, and Telangana. Farmers, who traditionally begin sowing kharif crops like paddy, pulses, cotton, and maize in early June, were left waiting for rainfall to resume. The upcoming active phase is now expected to boost sowing operations significantly.

Experts believe that a strong southwest monsoon performance in the coming weeks could help offset the initial delay, provided the rainfall is well-distributed both geographically and temporally.

Southwest Monsoon Crucial for Economy

India’s economy is closely tied to the southwest monsoon, as nearly 50% of the country’s farmland is rain-fed. A strong southwest monsoon ensures adequate water availability in reservoirs, supports hydroelectric generation, and maintains groundwater levels. It also directly influences food prices and inflation, especially in rural regions.

Last year, a near-normal southwest monsoon helped sustain agricultural growth even amid global climate uncertainties. This year, meteorologists and agricultural experts are hoping for a similar performance despite the initial setback.

Government Prepared for Monsoon Impact

The Ministry of Agriculture and allied departments have been in close coordination with state governments to monitor the impact of the delayed southwest monsoon. Contingency crop plans and advisories have already been issued to help farmers manage water-efficient practices and choose appropriate crop varieties in line with the expected rainfall revival.

Additionally, the government is working on increasing the dissemination of accurate weather forecasts to farmers through mobile apps and local language alerts to ensure preparedness during monsoon fluctuations.

Positive Outlook for Next Week

Meteorologists expect the southwest monsoon to pick up pace and cover larger areas in the next 7 to 10 days. Northeastern states, parts of Central India, and the Western Ghats are likely to witness moderate to heavy rainfall starting Thursday.

This renewed activity could help bridge the rainfall deficit recorded during the last fortnight and ensure a steady monsoon progression towards northern India by the end of June.

Conclusion

The return of the southwest monsoon is not just a weather event — it brings hope to millions of farmers and plays a crucial role in shaping India’s economy and food security. With the monsoon set to become active again, the country can look forward to more stable climatic conditions and a productive agricultural season ahead.