MUMBAI, India, June 23, (V7N) — Long-awaited monsoon rains reached India’s financial capital Mumbai on Tuesday, bringing relief after weeks of intense heat, though concerns over water shortages persist as total rainfall remains well below the seasonal norm.
Hundreds of millions across India depend on the annual monsoon to sustain agriculture and industry. But climate change and this year’s El Niño phenomenon have raised fears of lower rainfall.
As of Monday, India had received 60.6 millimetres (2.4 inches) of rain — 43 percent less than the long-term average for this point in the season, according to the weather department.
Mumbai’s 22 million residents welcomed Tuesday’s first downpours, even as some suburbs saw only light drizzle.
“The Southwest Monsoon has further advanced into remaining parts of central Arabian Sea, (and) some more parts of Maharashtra including Mumbai,” the weather department said.
Warnings of a weak monsoon have alarmed farmers and policymakers. Last week, Mumbai authorities restricted water use, cutting supplies to swimming pools and construction sites.
With many residents lacking air conditioning, some have been sleeping on beaches to escape sweltering nights.
The monsoon, a massive sea breeze, delivers 70 to 80 percent of South Asia’s annual rainfall between June and September. It is critical for planting crops in a sector that supports 45 percent of India’s population.
Agriculture Minister Shivraj Chouhan said earlier this month that India would prepare contingency plans for farmers to cope with potentially low rainfall tied to El Niño.
The climate phenomenon alters global winds, air pressure, and rainfall. In India and Southeast Asia, it typically brings drier conditions. The last El Niño helped make 2023 and 2024 the two hottest years on record.
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