Cyclone Vayu and Northward Progress of Monsoon

The South West Monsoon winds have entered Indian mainland through Kerala. At the same time, Cyclone Vayu is heading towards the Gujarat coast.

Cyclone Vayu

Cyclone Vayu is still to develop into a cyclone and is only a deep depression as of now. Cyclone Vayu is currently positioned around 250 km northwest of Aminidivi island in Lakshadweep and about 750 km southwest of Mumbai. Cyclone Vayu is slated to reach the Gujarat coast in two to three days.

Impact on Northward Progression of Monsoon Winds

Cyclone Vayu is expected to interfere with the normal progression of monsoon winds by sucking all the moisture from the monsoon winds towards itself.

Cyclones are sustained by strong low-pressure areas at their core. Winds in surrounding areas are forced to rush towards these low-pressure areas.

Similarly, low-pressure areas when developed near or over land play an instrumental role in pulling the monsoon winds over the country as well.

Currently, the low-pressure area at the centre of the cyclone Vayu is far more powerful than any local system that can pull the monsoon winds towards Indian landmass.

As a result, the areas where the monsoon has already reached would continue to get rain i.e. along the western coastline but other areas would have to wait a little longer.