The development of a mild cyclonic circulation off the Konkan coast in the Arabian Sea on Tuesday has been giving rise to hopes that the monsoon, which has been subdued for more than two weeks now, was firmly finding strength and was on course for a revival by the end of this week.

This depression in the Arabian Sea is seen to be travelling close to India’s west coast and is likely to fade out within the next 24 hours. But it is expected to pull the monsoon winds, already gaining strength, towards the west coast and bring rains on coastal Maharashtra, Konkan and south Gujarat in the next couple of days.

Weather scientists said for the first time this season, the monsoon winds are looking to flow at a speed excess of 40 knots per hour (about 75 kmph), which was another clear indication that monsoon was in good shape and was strengthening.

As of now, the monsoon looks set to start its northward advance from June 25 onwards and was likely to remain in the strong phase for at least a week, during which time it is expected to cover most parts of the country. The onward march of monsoon seems to be aided by the development of a low pressure area over the Bay of Bengal around June 28.

Barring north and northwestern parts of India, like Delhi, Rajasthan, western UP, Punjab and other northern states, almost the entire country should start getting rains by July 2, experts said.

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