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 pre-monsoon showers have wreaked havoc in Bandel and the surrounding panchayat areas, with most residential zones now submerged in stagnant rainwater. Ground floors of many homes are inundated, leaving residents with no option but to wade through the dirty, accumulated water.
The early arrival of the southwest monsoon in India this year ~ eight days ahead of its usual date ~ is more than a meteorological headline.
The low pressure area was likely to form on the Odisha coast either on May 26 or 27, Dr SC Sahu, Director of CEC, said.
While chairing a meeting with officials from the Irrigation and Water Resources, Public Health Engineering and Urban Local Bodies departments, the Chief Minister directed that all the drains and minors in the state should be cleaned immediately to prevent waterlogging and potential flood situations during the rainy season.
The Delhi minister told officials that those involved in manual cleaning of waste should receive Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) kits and safety devices before the monsoon.
