As predicted by national forecaster — Indian Meteorological Department (IMD), the crucial South-West monsoon arrived in Bihar, Odisha and West Bengal. Though the arrival of monsoon in rice producing states is little late, it will still prove to be a boon for paddy farmers, who have witnessed two consecutive drought years.
The weatherman has predicted heavy to very heavy rain in Bihar, Gangetic West Bengal, Odisha, Vidarbha, Chhattisgarh, Telangana, coastal Karnataka and Kerala on Sunday, while heavy rain lashed Kerala and Lakshadweep with several houses suffering damage and trees getting uprooted at many places.
Heavy to very heavy rainfall is most likely to occur at one or two places in Bihar from June 19 till June 22. Bihar's northeast part received first monsoon rain. It is expected to advance to other areas in the next three to four days.
Monsoon also set in over some parts of Odisha. The IMD has predicted that heavy rainfall is likely at one or two places over north and southern districts of the state. Parts of Gangetic West Bengal also received heavy rain as the monsoon has become active in these areas and is likely to cover the rest of Gangetic West Bengal, including Kolkata, within a couple of days. However, sultry weather conditions troubled the residents in Delhi.