New Delhi: The southwest monsoon has reached Kerala as of Saturday, marking the earliest onset over the Indian mainland since 2009, when it began on May 23, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) announced. Typically, the southwest monsoon arrives in Kerala by June 1 and spreads across the entire country by July 8. It usually starts retreating from northwest India around September 17 and completely withdraws by October 15.

IMD data shows the monsoon arrived in Kerala on May 30 last year; June 8 in 2023; May 29 in 2022; June 3 in 2021; June 1 in 2020; June 8 in 2019, and May 29 in 2018.

Meteorologists caution that there is no direct correlation between the monsoon’s onset date and the total seasonal rainfall across the country. An early or late arrival in Kerala does not necessarily indicate a similar pattern elsewhere in India, as the monsoon is influenced by complex global, regional, and local factors, exhibiting large-scale variability.

In April, the IMD forecasted above-normal cumulative rainfall for the 2025 monsoon season and ruled out the development of El Niño conditions, which are typically linked with below-normal rainfall in the Indian subcontinent.

With PTI inputs

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PANAJI: The southwest monsoon made an unusually early onset over Kerala today, May 24, marking its earliest arrival on the Indian mainland since 2009, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD). Typically, the monsoon reaches Kerala around June 1 and spreads across the country by July 8.

With favourable atmospheric conditions, the IMD expects the monsoon to advance into Goa over the next 2–3 days. It is also likely to progress into more areas of Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, the central Arabian Sea, the west-central and northern Bay of Bengal, the northeastern states, and parts of Sub-Himalayan West Bengal and Sikkim during this period.

In view of the expected rainfall, IMD Goa has issued a red alert for today, signalling extremely heavy rainfall. An orange alert has been declared from May 25 to 28, followed by a yellow alert for the subsequent two days, indicating varying intensities of rainfall activity.

This year’s monsoon onset is notably earlier than in recent years, with past arrivals recorded on May 30 (2024), June 8 (2023), May 29 (2022), and June 3 (2021), among others.

As per India Meteorological Department’s (IMD) weather bulletin released on May 24 that the country is witnessing a diverse set of weather phenomena — from extremely heavy rainfall in southern and western regions to heatwave conditions in the north and northwest.

Men ride a motorcycle through a waterlogged area at Sector 146 on the Noida-Greater Noida Expressway following Wednesday’s heavy rainfall.(PTI)

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IMD said the well marked low-pressure area over east central Arabian Sea off south Konkan coast concentrated into a depression and lay centered at over east central Arabian sea and adjoining south Konkan coast at 5:30 am on Saturday, about 40 km northwest of Ratnagiri.

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It is likely to move nearly eastwards and cross Konkan coast between Ratnagiri and Dapoli as a depression during the forenoon of Saturday, May 24, IMD said in its forecast.

Top 10 weather updates from IMD bulletin

• Monsoon hits Kerala

– The southwest monsoon hit Kerala on Saturday, marking its earliest arrival over the Indian mainland since 2009 when it reached the southern state on May 23, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said.

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{{^usCountry}} – Normally, the southwest monsoon makes its onset over Kerala by June 1 and covers the entire country by July 8. It starts retreating from northwest India around September 17 and withdraws completely by October 15. {{/usCountry}}

{{#usCountry}} – Normally, the southwest monsoon makes its onset over Kerala by June 1 and covers the entire country by July 8. It starts retreating from northwest India around September 17 and withdraws completely by October 15. {{/usCountry}}

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{{^usCountry}} – The monsoon had set in over the southern state on May 30 last year; June 8 in 2023; May 29 in 2022; June 3 in 2021; June 1 in 2020; June 8 in 2019; and May 29 in 2018, IMD data showed. • Delhi and Northwest India: Heatwave, thunderstorms {{/usCountry}}

{{#usCountry}} – The monsoon had set in over the southern state on May 30 last year; June 8 in 2023; May 29 in 2022; June 3 in 2021; June 1 in 2020; June 8 in 2019; and May 29 in 2018, IMD data showed. • Delhi and Northwest India: Heatwave, thunderstorms {{/usCountry}}

{{^usCountry}} – Delhi and surrounding areas like Haryana, Punjab, and Rajasthan are experiencing above-normal temperatures, IMD said. A rise of 2–4 degrees Celsius in maximum temperatures is likely over Northwest India in the next two days, followed by stabilisation. {{/usCountry}}

{{#usCountry}} – Delhi and surrounding areas like Haryana, Punjab, and Rajasthan are experiencing above-normal temperatures, IMD said. A rise of 2–4 degrees Celsius in maximum temperatures is likely over Northwest India in the next two days, followed by stabilisation. {{/usCountry}}

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– Dust storms (40–50 kmph) are expected over West Rajasthan until May 25, as per the IMD.

– IMD has also predicted thunderstorm accompanied with lightning and gusty winds (40-50 kmph) at isolated places over Haryana, Chandigarh, Delhi, Punjab, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh etc., between May 24 and 29.

– Isolated hailstorms and heavy rainfall are possible in Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand between May 24 and May 29.

• Maharashtra and Goa: Red alert for heavy rain

– Konkan & Goa and Madhya Maharashtra are likely to receive widespread rain from May 24 to May 29, with isolated extremely heavy rainfall especially on May 24 and May 25.

– Thunderstorms and gusty winds up to 50 kmph are also expected.

• South Peninsular India: Torrential rains and thunderstorm

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– Kerala, Karnataka (especially coastal Karnataka), and Mahe are set for a wet week with widespread rain, thunderstorms, and gusty winds (40–50 kmph)

– Isolated extremely heavy rainfall is forecast over Kerala (24th–26th) and Coastal Karnataka (May 24–27)

– Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Rayalaseema, and Andhra Pradesh will also see moderate rainfall and thunderstorms, with localized heavy falls

• Andhra Pradesh and Telangana

– Thundersqualls (50–60 kmph, gusting up to 70 kmph) are predicted over Coastal Andhra Pradesh, Yanam, and Rayalaseema on May 26 and May 27.

– Coastal Andhra and Telangana may also face heavy rainfall on May 27.

• Gujarat: Thunderstorms, isolated heavy rain

– Saurashtra and Kutch may see thundersqualls with wind speeds reaching 70 kmph on May 24, IMD said.

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– Scattered heavy rain is expected over Gujarat from May 24 to May 27.

• Northeast India: Active Monsoon-like condition

– States like Assam, Meghalaya, Arunachal Pradesh, and Tripura are in for widespread rainfall accompanied by lightning and gusty winds (up to 50 kmph).

– These conditions will persist through May 27, with isolated heavy falls in several areas

• Central and eastern India

– Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Vidarbha, Odisha, Bihar, and West Bengal are likely to see scattered thunderstorms and light to moderate rain. Thundersqualls (50–70 kmph) likely over Madhya Pradesh and Bihar May 24 and May 25.

– Isolated heavy rainfall is also expected over Odisha and Bihar during this period.

• Heatwave update: Rajasthan scorches at 48 deg C

– Jaisalmer in West Rajasthan recorded India’s highest maximum temperature of 48.0 degrees Celsius on May 23, IMD said, adding that severe heatwave conditions prevailed in parts of West Rajasthan and Jammu & Kashmir regions.

• Temperature deviations

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– Minimum temperatures are significantly above normal (>5°C) in parts of Jammu & Kashmir, Assam, Bihar, and Himachal Pradesh, IMD said.

– Despite the rain in some regions, nighttime temperatures remain warmer than usual, intensifying discomfort, it added.

The monsoon reached Kerala on Saturday, making it the earliest onset over the Indian mainland since 2009, when it had arrived on May 23, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD).

The South-West monsoon made an early arrival in Kerala on Saturday, marking the earliest onset over the Indian mainland since 2009, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD). The early arrival—on May 24—beats the normal onset date of June 1 and suggests a potentially active season ahead.

This is the earliest monsoon onset over Kerala since May 23, 2009. According to IMD records, so far in the history of the Meteorological Department, the monsoon first reached Kerala on 11 May in the year 1918. At the same time, in 1972, the monsoon reached Kerala the latest, on 18 June.

While early onset creates expectations of a good monsoon, IMD officials caution that the timing of onset is not directly correlated with total seasonal rainfall. “The monsoon is influenced by various global, regional, and local factors, including sea surface temperatures and atmospheric patterns. An early onset in Kerala does not guarantee early progress elsewhere in the country,” an IMD official said.

The monsoon typically progresses northward to cover the entire country by July 8. It begins to retreat from northwest India around September 17 and withdraws completely by October 15.

In its long-range forecast released in April, the IMD predicted above-normal cumulative rainfall for the 2025 monsoon season, easing concerns of an El Niño-induced shortfall. El Niño, a climate phenomenon marked by warmer Pacific Ocean waters, often brings deficient monsoons to the Indian subcontinent. However, current conditions suggest a neutral to La Niña phase, which is typically more favourable for rainfall.

The early onset brings hope for the timely sowing of kharif crops, which depend heavily on monsoon rains. India’s agriculture sector, which contributes about 18% to the GDP and employs over half the population, relies on the June–September monsoon to irrigate more than half of the country’s farmland.

Agricultural planners and state governments are closely monitoring monsoon progress to prepare for effective water management and crop planning across states.

The southwest monsoon made an early arrival over Kerala on Saturday, advancing eight days ahead of the expected June 1 onset, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) confirmed. This marks the earliest arrival of the monsoon over the Indian mainland since 2009.

The early onset is expected to influence weather patterns across the subcontinent, bringing much-needed rainfall to key agricultural regions. The IMD noted that favorable atmospheric and oceanic conditions accelerated the monsoon’s advance over the southern coast.

Meteorologists are now closely monitoring its progress, with the monsoon likely to spread further across the southern and western parts of the country in the coming days. The development has raised hopes for timely sowing in rain-fed farming regions but also prompted disaster management agencies to remain on alert due to the potential for intense rain and flooding in some areas.

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New Delhi: The southwest monsoon officially arrived in Kerala on Saturday, marking the earliest onset over the Indian mainland since 2009, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) announced. This year’s early arrival on May 25 comes ahead of the usual onset date of June 1.

The last time the monsoon arrived this early was in 2009, when it reached Kerala on May 23. IMD data shows previous onset dates as May 30 in 2024, June 8 in 2023, May 29 in 2022, June 3 in 2021, June 1 in 2020, and May 29 in 2018.

Despite the early arrival, meteorologists cautioned that there is no direct correlation between the onset date and the overall monsoon rainfall. The monsoon’s progression and distribution across the country depend on a complex interplay of global, regional, and local climatic factors.

The IMD, in its April forecast, predicted above-normal rainfall for the 2025 season, ruling out El Niño conditions, which are typically associated with below-average rainfall in India.

Rainfall in India is classified based on the long-period average (LPA) of 87 cm. Rainfall between 96% and 104% of this average is considered normal. In 2024, India recorded 934.8 mm of rainfall—108% of the LPA—making it the highest since 2020. Comparatively, the country received 820 mm in 2023 (94.4%), 925 mm in 2022, 870 mm in 2021, and 958 mm in 2020.

The monsoon is vital for India’s agriculture sector, which sustains around 42% of the population and contributes 18.2% to the GDP. It also plays a critical role in replenishing reservoirs used for drinking water and hydroelectric power generation

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While the early arrival marks a rare event, IMD says it has no direct link to the season’s total rainfall.

May 24, 2025, The southwest monsoon made its earliest arrival over the Indian mainland since 2009, hitting Kerala on Saturday, May 24, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD). Typically, the monsoon reaches Kerala by June 1 and covers the entire country by July 8.

Also Read: India Weather Alert: Goa on Red, Mumbai & Delhi Brace for Heavy Rain as Monsoon Looms

Recent Onset Trends:

2024: May 30

May 30 2023: June 8

June 8 2022: May 29

May 29 2021: June 3

June 3 2020: June 1

June 1 2019: June 8

June 8 2018: May 29

The last time it arrived earlier was in 2009, on May 23. The earliest recorded onset since 1975 was on May 19, 1990 — 13 days ahead of the normal date.

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Also Read: Delhi Storm Disrupts Life: Power Cuts, Traffic Jams, Emergency in Indigo Aircraft Midair-Watch

Onset vs. Rainfall:

Meteorologists emphasize that the onset date does not have a direct relationship with the total monsoon rainfall across India. An IMD official said, “The early or late arrival in Kerala does not directly impact how quickly the monsoon covers other regions of the country.”

2025 Monsoon Outlook:

IMD has forecast above-normal cumulative rainfall for the 2025 season, ruling out El Niño conditions that usually cause below-normal rainfall.

for the 2025 season, ruling out conditions that usually cause below-normal rainfall. Rainfall definitions: Normal: 96-104% of 87 cm (50-year average) Deficient: <90% Below normal: 90-95% Above normal: 105-110% Excess: >110%

In 2024, India received 934.8 mm of rainfall (108% of the average), the highest since 2020. In 2023, rainfall was 820 mm (94.4%), while 2022 saw 925 mm and 2020 had 958 mm.

Also Read: Terrifying Turbulence: IndiGo Flight Caught in Hailstorm, Passengers Scream-Watch Video

Importance of the Monsoon:

The monsoon is vital for India’s agriculture sector, which supports 42% of the population and contributes 18.2% to the GDP. It also replenishes crucial reservoirs that supply drinking water and power generation across the country.

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monsoon 2025, India rainfall update, IMD monsoon forecast, Kerala rainfall, Indian agriculture monsoon