New Delhi, July 17
Monsoon has revived and covered the entire country, the Metrological Department today declared. "Southwest monsoon further advanced into remaining parts of north Arabian Sea, Saurashtra and Kutch, Gujarat region and west Rajasthan. It covered the entire country today,” the Met office said.

Though technically the seasonal rains are running two days behind the schedule (July 15 is the official date when it is supposed to cover the country), they are expected to bring only temporary relief to the most-affected areas — plains of northwest and central India, currently experiencing drought-like conditions.

However, heavy to very heavy rains are expected to lash Uttarakhand and parts of Himachal Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh till July 19. From July 20 to July 24, there will be increased activity — rain or thundershowers at many places over east, central and north peninsular India, UP, Uttarakhand and along west coast, the IMD said.

Subdued rainfall would continue in interior peninsular India and rain and thundershowers would occur at a few places in the rest of the country, it added. It is also expected to lash plains of the northwest and central India.

Meteorological parameters appear promising, including the position of the monsoon trough and associated low-pressure areas. A fresh low pressure area may develop over northwest Bay of Bengal around July 20.