India: Erratic Monsoon Gathers Pace After Timely Onset

The onset of the 2024 southwest monsoon over the state of Kerala was on May 30, one day earlier than the forecast date published by the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD). The timely onset of above normal rains in June are expected to support kharif planting, even with the slow northward progress of the monsoon in June. The rains have recovered since the beginning of July boosting Kharif 2024 planting which is 10 percent higher than last year. Cumulative rainfall as of July 17 is three percent below the normal fifty-year average.