Monsoon enters AP, likely to cover entire state in 10 days

Visakhapatnam: The southwest monsoon set over Andhra Pradesh on Saturday, two days after its scheduled date of arrival (June 4). However, the prevailing hot and humid conditions are likely to continue for a few more days in the coastal areas, the IMD said, adding that it may take seven to 10 days for the monsoon to cover the entire state.The onset marks the beginning of the four-month southwest monsoon season (June to Sept). In 2025, the southwest monsoon entered the state on May 26, much before its expected date of arrival. According to IMD, some parts of Anantapur, Chittoor, Sri Sathya Sai, and Tirupati districts in Rayalaseema region experienced monsoon showers on Saturday, which is likely to intensity further over the course of the week.Andhra Pradesh receives around 60 to 70 percent of its annual rainfall during the June-Sept period which replenish reservoir stocks, groundwater reserves, and aids rain-fed kharif cultivation. However, the state is likely to experience below normal rainfall during the current monsoon season due to the interference of El Nino conditions. The IMD has warned that El Nino conditions will develop further during the monsoon season, a pattern that usually suppresses rainfall across the country. There is a possibility of short-duration, high-intensity rains at some places under its impact.While the conditions are favourable for advancement of southwest monsoon into Maharashtra, Karnataka, Telangana, Tamil Nadu, and the North Eastern states over the next few days, hot and humid weather is likely to continue to prevail in some parts of Kakinada, Yanam, Konaseema, West and East Godavari, Eluru, NTR, Guntur, Palnadu, Krishna, Bapatla, Prakasam, Anakapalle, ASR, and Nellore districts for two more days, the IMD said. Some parts of the Rayalaseema region will experience thunderstorms and light to heavy rainfall for the next few days.