In Pictures

The monsoon arrives one month early

The rains have swept across India and into Pakistan four weeks ahead of schedule.

A whole month early — The monsoon has spread across the entirety of India a month early, which is the earliest ever recorded.

The southwest monsoon has now covered the entirety of India, four weeks ahead of schedule and the earliest on record.

Normally the rains wouldn’t push into Pakistan until 15 July, but this year the rains are already falling.

In New Delhi, the rains are nearly two weeks ahead of schedule, whereas in Karachi and Islamabad, the rains were nearly three weeks early.

The early onset has brought hope to millions of farmers who depend on the rains for their livelihood.

The June to September monsoon is crucial for farm output and economic growth in India, where just over half of arable land is rain-fed.

The farm sector makes up about 15 percent of the nearly $2 trillion economy that is Asia’s third-biggest.

However, the early onset of the rains has also brought flooding problems for many northern parts of the country.

The early rains have been triggered by the heatwave which has gripped central Asia. This, combined with two low pressures on either side of India, drew the moisture northwards, spreading the rains throughout the country.

Towards the end of last week thunderstorms were already pouring across the foothills of the Himalayas.

Relentless rain which poured for 36 hours caused severe flooding in the town of Uttarkashi, in Uttarakhand, Northern India. 465mm of rain fell in just a 24 hour period.

An entire apartment building was swept away by the floods. Three people are known to have died, with another 12 still missing. This brings to 50 the number of people missing due to the flooding in the region.

The monsoon rains are expected to ease over northern India and Pakistan in the next few days. The rains will returned to their average position for this time of year.

Rain, rain, go away — Tha rains started to lash New Delhi on June 14, almost two weeks ahead of schedule.

Who needs an umbrella? — India(***)s monsoon accounts for more than 70 percent of the annual rainfall and is essential for all crops, from rice to corn, and sugar cane to cotton.

Watching the raindrops — The early arrival of the monsoon has brought hope to millions of farmers who depend on the rains for their livelihood.

Wading home — However, the rain has also brought flooding for some parts of the country.

A practical coat for a cyclist — In the north of the country, 465mm of rain fell in just 24 hours in the town of Uttarkashi.

I''m sure two people could fit under that umbrella — The downpours caused widespread flooding and swept away an entire apartment block.

Technicoloured brollies — The monsoon rains are expected to ease in northern India and Pakistan over the next few days.

Fighting with the wind — The rains are expected to remain heavy in the southwest, including in Mumbai.

It''s raining, it''s pouring — Over the past few weeks the monsoon has been very heavy in southwest India, which is good news for the region which is currently in the grip of a drought.

Crashing waves — Another 179mm of rain fell in Mumbai in the last 24 hours.

Taking shelter anywhere that''s offered — The monsoon rains are always a big talking point in India, but this year it has generated even more interest than usual thanks to its early arrival.