By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, May 26: The Southwest Monsoon has officially advanced into most parts of Meghalaya and the Northeast, bringing much-needed relief from the summer heat and setting the stage for the Kharif cropping season. This year, the monsoon has reached Meghalaya earlier than usual.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Monday confirmed that the monsoon has significantly progressed across the region, including most parts of Meghalaya, Mizoram, Manipur, Nagaland, Tripura, and Assam.
According to the IMD, the monsoon set in over Kerala on May 24 and has since made swift advancement into large sections of the country, aided by favourable atmospheric and oceanic conditions.
Residents across Meghalaya, particularly in central and eastern districts, have already witnessed pre-monsoon showers and overcast skies since Saturday.
Farmers are beginning early preparations for sowing, especially in areas dependent on rain-fed agriculture. The timely arrival of the monsoon is expected to support the cultivation of key crops like rice, maize, and millets — vital to the rural economy of the state.
With the core monsoon currents now active in the Bay of Bengal and adjoining regions, the IMD has forecast further advancement into remaining parts of Northeast India in the coming days.