The southwest monsoon’s advancement across the country has hit a pause, with the India Meteorological Department (IMD) telling CNBC-TV18 that no further progress is expected for the next four to five days.The development is set to deepen the water crisis already gripping Mumbai.
The monsoon, which made a delayed onset over Kerala on June 1, a couple of days behind schedule, has since reached the southern region of Maharashtra but has stalled there since June 8.
Based on its current position, the IMD sources have told CNBC-TV18 that the onset of monsoon over Mumbai will be delayed by at least 7-8 days, possibly more.The monsoon was originally expected to reach the city on June 10.The delay could not have come at a worse time for Mumbai.The seven lakes that supply water to the city had only 12.12% water stock as of 6 am on June 11.The city has been grappling with water shortages, and a further delay in the monsoon’s arrival is expected to worsen the situation considerably.Adding to the concern, this is an El Niño year.The IMD has forecast below-average rainfall for the season, a projection that raises questions not just about when the monsoon will arrive, but how much relief it will actually bring once it does.For now, both the monsoon and the relief it promises remain out of reach for Mumbai.
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