India’s Southwest Monsoon Shows Uneven Pattern Despite Gradual Recovery
India’s southwest monsoon continues to display an uneven pattern. Signs of gradual recovery appear, yet the distribution remains patchy. Latest satellite imagery from the India Meteorological Department captures a clear contrast in cloud cover across the country.
Dense cloud bands cover western and central regions. In contrast, large stretches of the northwest and Indo-Gangetic plains stay relatively clear. This highlights the uneven nature of the current monsoon season.
According to the latest IMD rainfall data, India has recorded 395.5 mm of rain since June 4. The normal amount for this period stands at 446.3 mm. As a result, the country faces an overall seasonal deficit of 11 percent.
The nationwide shortfall has narrowed from the severe gaps seen in June. However, the recovery stays uneven. Several states in the Hindi belt continue to report below-normal rainfall.
Satellite images from INSAT-3DS on Saturday morning revealed an active weather system over western India. A depression drives widespread rain across Gujarat and nearby areas. Meanwhile, cloud cover over Delhi, Haryana, Punjab, and large parts of Uttar Pradesh remains fragmented. This reflects weaker monsoon activity over northwest India.
Weather experts note that the monsoon trough is expected to shift northward again. This movement should improve rainfall prospects over northwestern states in the coming days.
Beginning Sunday, moderate passing showers are likely to increase over Delhi, Haryana, Punjab, and Uttar Pradesh. Rainfall coverage, however, should stay limited to about 20 to 30 percent of the area. Not every district or city will receive rain during this early phase.
A more significant improvement is expected between August 3 and August 5. Moderate to heavy rainfall of 40 to 100 mm is forecast across Delhi-NCR, Punjab, and Haryana. During this period, geographical coverage should rise to 40 to 70 percent. This will bring relief to regions that have seen one of the weakest monsoon performances this season.
Meanwhile, south and central Rajasthan are likely to receive heavy rainfall on Sunday and Monday. The monsoon system continues to strengthen over western India during this time.
Despite the improving outlook, meteorologists caution that truly widespread rainfall across northwest India may still wait until early next week. The delayed and inconsistent advance of the monsoon has left many parts of the region with prolonged deficits. At the same time, western India deals with heavy, flood-producing downpours.
This evolving pattern once again shows the highly uneven distribution of the monsoon this year. Some areas face flood risks while others continue to wait for sustained seasonal rains.