New Delhi, June 19: The onset of Monsoon in peninsular India has been delayed due to Cyclone Vayu, which altered the weather conditions which were conducive for rainfall. With the impact of Vayu being subdued, the Southwest Monsoon winds are progressing rapidly towards central India.

The much-awaited monsoon is expected to reach southern Konkan and Goa by June 21, and is likely to cover the entire Maharashtra and rest of central India by June 24 or 25, predicts the India Meteorological department (IMD) in its latest survey. Cyclone Vayu Delays Monsoon in Mumbai by 7 Days, Says IMD

"While the monsoon is likely to cover the entire Maharashtra, good rains are expected over the parched regions like Marathwada and Vidarbha, which are currently reeling under water crisis," an India Meteorological Department official said in Pune.

He said though the monsoon got delayed due to 'Vayu', it's expected to move forward rapidly. The official said that despite the delay, the monsoon is mostly expected to cover Karnataka, remaining parts of Tamil Nadu and Telangana, Odisha, and parts of the North East later this month.

North India, which is reeling under a scorching heatwave, is expected to be engulfed with rainfall by the first week of July, the Meteorological department has predicted.

"The progress of the monsoon will be rapid after June 21. The monsoon is likely to cover 90 per cent of the country by July 4.

"Though the effect of 'Vayu' is over, there will be widespread heavy rains over parts of Kutch and Saurashtra in Gujarat and East Rajasthan by tomorrow," the IMD official told news agency PTI.

Notably, the Monsoon this year is expected to be "normal", with the IMD predicting 96 per cent of the long-time average rainfall.

Apart from being normal, the rainfall is predicted to be evenly spread, with adequate amount of rains expected in the drought-prone areas of Marathwada and Vidarbha.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jun 19, 2019 01:41 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).