The West Bengal government on Tuesday intensified its preparations for the upcoming monsoon, with urban development and municipal affairs minister Agnimitra Paul conducting an extensive inspection of several waterlogging-prone locations across Kolkata and adjoining areas to assess the readiness of the civic infrastructure ahead of the rainy season.
Several Kerala districts are already under weather alerts as the IMD forecasts thunderstorms, gusty winds and widespread rainfall during the coming week.
The IMD had earlier forecast an early onset of the southwest monsoon around May 26, with a model error margin of ±4 days
Almost since the beginning of the year, social media platforms have been flooded with discussions around so-called “Super El Niño”, with many using the term to make alarming predictions about the Southwest Monsoon — the lifeline of India—in 2026.
Amid apprehensions of economic slowdown exacerbated by multiple factors such as crude oil price shock and currency depreciation triggered by the US-Iran conflict and disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz, there seems to be some positive news regarding the southwest monsoon—the most awaited weather phenomenon in the country every year.
The Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC) has issued a red alert for October 16 in Chennai and the surrounding districts of Tiruvallur, Chengalpattu, and Kancheepuram in Tamil Nadu.
The Uttar Pradesh government has provided Rs 163.15 crore in compensation for crops damaged by floods across the state this monsoon season.
The southwest monsoon has started to withdraw from the coastal state, the India Meteorological Department (IMD)’s Bhubaneswar regional centre said on Sunday.
The RMC, in the statement, also said that 18 districts of Tamil Nadu will receive heavy rains till October 5 and issued a yellow alert in these districts.
India’s monsoon season is a critical factor for the nation’s agricultural output, and this year’s rainfall, the highest since 2020, has brought both relief and challenges.
