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Monsoon advances, likely to hit Delhi a week early

India's southwest monsoon, which arrived in southern India a week ahead of schedule, is keeping up its momentum and will likely hit the northern region at least seven days early, a weather official said on Tuesday.

"There are some indications that monsoon rains may hit New Delhi by June 22," a senior official of India Meteorological Department said. The normal date for monsoon rains to arrive in New Delhi is June 29.

The official said the progress of monsoon, vital for India's economic performance because of its importance to agriculture, had been satisfactory as it had covered large parts including the drought-hit western and central regions.

The southwest monsoon supplies nearly 80 per cent of the country's rainfall, hit the Kerala coast on May 23, seven days earlier than normal.

Madhya Pradesh, western Maharashtra and Gujarat, which were under the grip of a severe drought for the last three years, have been receiving heavy rainfall for the last few days.

Good monsoon rains are crucial for a good harvest which helps agricultural production, increases rural incomes and boosts consumption generally in the country.

India hopes good monsoon rains will shore up its sagging industrial sector, which has been hit by poor demand.

The weather office forecast that the monsoon will advance further into northern Uttar Pradesh, Uttaranchal, Himachal Pradesh and northwestern Rajasthan in the days ahead.

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