Rama Krishna Sangem
In a major relief to Indian farmers and economy, monsoon rains arrived at least a week ahead of the normal schedule. Usually, the monsoon rains hit southern tip of Kerala by June 1, but this year, they kissed the God’s Own Country by May 24.
The southwest monsoon made its onset over Kerala on Saturday, marking the earliest arrival over the Indian mainland since 2009, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) announced.
Normally, the southwest monsoon hits Kerala by June 1 and covers the entire country by July 8,” the IMD said. The withdrawal typically begins around September 17 and is completed by October 15.
In recent years, the monsoon arrived in Kerala on May 30 (2024), June 8 (2023), May 29 (2022), June 3 (2021), June 1 (2020), June 8 (2019), and May 29 (2018), according to IMD data. Monsoon in India: Onset timing not linked to seasonal rainfall
Meteorologists caution against drawing conclusions about the season’s overall rainfall based on the monsoon’s early onset.
“There is no direct relationship between the onset date and the total rainfall over the country during the season,” an IMD official told news agency PTI. “The timing of the monsoon’s arrival in Kerala does not necessarily reflect how it will progress across other regions. It is influenced by a mix of global, regional, and local climatic factors.”
Above normal rainfall
In its April forecast, the IMD predicted above-normal rainfall for the 2025 season, while ruling out the impact of El Nino conditions — typically associated with deficient rainfall over the Indian subcontinent. Southern India forecast: Heavy rains ahead
The IMD has predicted isolated extremely heavy rainfall in Kerala, coastal and south interior Karnataka, and parts of Konkan and Goa on Saturday. These regions are expected to experience heavy to extremely heavy rainfall until May 29, accompanied by gusty winds reaching 40–50 kmph.
Early monsoon and above normal rainfall are vital to the Indian economy and people. As the country depends up to 70 per cent on South West monsoon, these rain carrying clouds are nothing but good news to us. This means, there will not be shortage of food, and agriculture sector’s contributions to the economy. Rural consumption will be normal and agricultural employment will be normal too, this year, which is a big relief to the governments – both at the centre and states.
