Southwest monsoon may set in Vizag by month-end

According to the IMD, the southwest monsoon is likely to reach Visakhapatnam by May 31, nearly two weeks ahead of its usual arrival.

Monsoon has officially arrived in Andhra Pradesh, making its presence felt in the Rayalaseema region on Monday. And now, all eyes are on Visakhapatnam, where signs point to an unusually early onset of the rains.

According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the southwest monsoon is likely to reach Visakhapatnam by May 31, nearly two weeks ahead of its usual arrival between June 12 and 13. Meteorologists say this early advance is being driven by favourable conditions, including a low-pressure area forming over the Bay of Bengal on Tuesday, and a trough currently passing over coastal Andhra Pradesh.

Speaking to The Hindu, IMD Scientist-C Karuna Sagar said, “Conditions are favourable for further advancement of the southwest monsoon in some parts of Andhra Pradesh over the next three days and all over the State including Visakhapatnam, by May-end. This is possible due to favourable weather conditions, including the existing upper trough and the low-pressure area forming over the west-central and adjoining north Bay of Bengal by Tuesday. There will be less impact of the low pressure on the State in terms of rain, but it will definitely accelerate monsoon.”

On the other hand, cloudy weather conditions prevailed across the State with the onset of monsoon and other weather systems, said A.P. Disaster Management Authority director R. Kurmanath. As of 5 p.m. on Monday, Rajapanukulu in Alluri Sitharama Raju district recorded the State’s highest rainfall of 56.5 mm, followed by Vizianagaram (42.7 mm) and Maredumilli (41.5 mm).

LBS Nagar in Gajuwaka in Visakhapatnam city recorded 1.5 mm of rainfall, while Narsipatnam and its surrounding areas in Anakapalli district logged more than 20 mm of rainfall.

“This year, monsoon has arrived early. Last year, it had set in on June 2 while in the previous years too, it had arrived in June — June 11 in 2023, June 13 in 2022, June 4 in 2020 & 2021, and June 20 in 2019,” Mr. Kurmanath said.