Overview
- The India Meteorological Department declared the southwest monsoon established over Kerala on Thursday, June 4, and placed several districts under Orange and Yellow alerts for heavy to very heavy rain through June 9.
- The IMD has issued widespread warnings for thunderstorms, lightning, squally gusts and isolated hail across large parts of the country, with specific yellow alerts covering 22 districts in Odisha.
- A Western Disturbance brought thunderstorms and heavy showers to Delhi-NCR on June 4, producing gusts up to about 60 kmph and short-term relief from extreme heat while yellow alerts remain in force.
- Forecasters expect the monsoon to push into adjoining peninsular areas over the next 24–48 hours and have advised fishermen to avoid rough seas along southern coasts as squally winds and night rains pose transport and safety risks.
- The monsoon supplies roughly 70 percent of India’s annual rainfall, so the official onset after a brief delay matters for crops and water supplies and officials note a developing El Niño and the risk of a below‑normal season plus isolated heatwave pockets in Bihar and Uttar Pradesh later this week.