Monsoon races forth, covers entire India except western Raj

The Southwest Monsoon hurried across over India today as it covered the entire country except western Rajasthan, several days before its expected onset in many parts.
In Delhi and the National Capital Region (NCR), monsoon arrived today, four days before its normal onset.
Incidentally, the monsoon this year had arrived late in Kerala, on June 5, four days after its normal onset date of June 1.
"Southwest Monsoon, that begins its journey in first week of June and stretches till mid-July to spread its wing over entire India, has shown a rapid pace this year.
"It is likely to take a week or so to reach West Rajasthan while it will continue to soak other parts of India with moderate to heavy rain," said Skymet, a private weather forecasting agency.

"After arriving in Kerala behind schedule, monsoon advanced over West Coast and North India in quick succession, after the cyclonic storm Ashobaa stalled its advancement," added Skymet.

Incessant rains in Jammu and Kashmir and Gujarat since yesterday have led to flooding in many parts of the two states. Heavy rains are expected in Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand in the next 24 hours.
"The water level in Jhelum river rose above the danger mark on Thursday morning as incessant monsoon rains have been lashing most parts of J-K since Wednesday. State authorities have issued flood alert for Anantnag and Pulwama districts of the state.

"(In Gujarat) Rajkot yesterday surpassed its all-time high 24-hour rainfall record of June while Ahmedabad, too, received a whopping rainfall of 130-mm in the last 24 hours that was the highest in the last 10 years. The city has also exceeded its monthly average rainfall of 95-mm in just 24 hours.
"Rainfall in Ahmedabad in the last 24 hours was in three digits for the second time in last 10 years," Skymet added.
In its bulletin, the India Meteorological Department said that the Northern Limit of Monsoon passes through Jalore, Nagaur and Ganganagar.
"The Southwest Monsoon has further advanced into remainig parts of north Arabian Sea, Gujarat, entire Haryana, Chandigarh and Delhi and some parts of West Rajasthan," IMD said.

Meanwhile, the country has recorded 24 per cent more rainfall than its normal limit with central India and southern peninsula, respectively, receiving 52 per cent and 32 per cent more rain. East and northeast India have recorded just 4 per cent more rain while northwest India, which includes Delhi and NCR region, has received 5 per cent less rainfall.