
Northwest India: The monsoon reached Delhi, Rajasthan, Punjab, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh by June 29, completing its national spread.India’s monsoon season has covered the entire country by June 29—nine days ahead of its usual July 8 schedule—in one of the fastest advances recorded since 1960. The early arrival is expected to boost kharif crop sowing, ease inflation pressures, and offer a second consecutive year of above-average rainfall.
According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), such rapid monsoon coverage has occurred only ten times in the last 65 years. The early sweep follows a two-week lull in early June, when rainfall was 31% below average. However, with a strong revival, June ended with a 9% surplus.