India, Pakistan Heatwaves Ease as Monsoon, Pre-Monsoon Rains Spread

India's monsoon has regained momentum after a fortnight-long stall, with rains expected to cover central India this week, providing relief from a severe heatwave affecting the northern grain-growing plains. The monsoon, crucial for nearly half of India's farmland that relies on rain rather than irrigation, has already covered much of western Maharashtra and is moving into Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh, where the onset is anticipated around June 17. Although the first half of June saw 31% less rainfall than average, forecasts predict above-average rainfall for the latter half, likely lowering temperatures significantly across the west coast, central, and northern regions. Meanwhile, Pakistan's Meteorological Department forecasts that severe heatwave conditions will ease with the arrival of a pre-monsoon weather system bringing rain, dust storms, and thunderstorms to eastern Sindh and other northern and central areas, including Kashmir, Gilgit-Baltistan, and Punjab, between June 13 and 16. These weather changes in both countries are expected to bring much-needed respite from the intense heat and support agricultural activities dependent on timely rainfall. Pre-monsoon showers and thunderstorms are also expected in Madhya Pradesh and neighboring regions, further signaling the seasonal transition and providing relief to populations enduring high temperatures.