An unusually swift and intense onset of rain has caused major damage, with transport delays and crop loss

Several regions across India, including Mumbai, are facing major disruption after heavy monsoon showers arrived earlier than expected. The sudden onset last week affected transport and agriculture, leading to infrastructure damage, severe traffic, and emergency warnings by local authorities.

In Mumbai, India's commercial capital, many areas experienced waterlogging in streets and train delays due to the rain, local media reports said. The southwest monsoon, which brings up to 80% of South Asia's annual rainfall, typically reaches the state of Kerala by June 1 and moves north to cover the country by early July.

It usually hits Maharashtra around June 7, but this year it arrived in Mumbai 16 days early - its earliest onset since 1950, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD).

The early rains overwhelmed Mumbai's infrastructure, with footage and images showing flooded metro stations and widespread waterlogging.

The southwest monsoon has not yet officially arrived in Delhi, which has been experiencing exceptionally heavy pre-monsoon rainfall this May. The city has recorded 186.4mm of rain, making it the wettest May since record keeping began in 1901.

Heavy overnight rains brought strong winds and thunderstorms to Delhi, leading to waterlogged streets, uprooted trees, and flight delays, according to media reports. The conditions are expected to continue through May 31, although with slightly reduced intensity, IMD warned.

In Bengaluru, the capital of the southern state of Karnataka, widespread flooding over the past two weeks has impacted several homes, with boats and tractors deployed to rescue residents, according to a report in ThePrint.

In Maharashtra, unseasonal rains have also damaged onion crops, as reported by Mid-day. A representative from the local Onion Producers Farmers Association told the outlet that while May rains are not uncommon, the current spell was highly unusual and caused significant damage. He added that farmers had received no prior warning about the extended rainfall.

(RT.com)