Monsoon

Monsoon Arrives in Kerala 8 Days Early, Earliest Onset in 16 Years

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New Delhi, May 24 – The southwest monsoon made a thunderous early entry into Kerala on Saturday, eight days ahead of its normal onset date of June 1. This marks the earliest arrival of the monsoon over mainland India since 2009, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD).

Monsoon

In its official statement, IMD confirmed that the monsoon has advanced into Kerala, bringing widespread showers across the state. The development is being seen as a positive signal for the agricultural sector, which heavily depends on timely and adequate rainfall for the Kharif crop cycle.

Historical Context: A Rare Early Onset

The IMD noted that such an early arrival has only occurred a few times in recent history. The last comparable early onset was in 2009 and 2001, when the monsoon reached Kerala on May 23. In contrast, the monsoon arrived on:

  • May 30 in 2023

  • June 8 in 2022

  • May 29 in 2018 and 2022

  • June 3 in 2021

  • June 1 in 2020

  • June 8 in 2019

The standard pattern sees the southwest monsoon hit Kerala by June 1, cover all of India by July 8, begin withdrawing from northwest India around September 17, and completely retreat by October 15.

No El Niño, Rainfall Expected to Be Above Normal

In a previous update issued in April, the IMD dismissed the possibility of an El Niño event for the 2025 season, instead forecasting above-normal rainfall across the country. El Niño is typically associated with lower rainfall over the Indian subcontinent, whereas its counterpart La Niña often leads to enhanced monsoon activity.

Early Onset Doesn’t Guarantee Uniform Spread

Meteorologists caution that the date of monsoon onset in Kerala is not a reliable indicator of rainfall performance across the country. An IMD official noted that monsoon progression and distribution depend on a complex set of global, regional, and local climatic factors.

While the early onset is welcome news, especially for the farming community, it does not necessarily imply early or above-normal rains in other parts of India.

Weather Update for Delhi

Meanwhile, in Delhi, the IMD reported a minimum temperature of 28.4°C, which is 1.7°C below normal. The national capital is likely to experience thunderstorms and rain over the weekend, with the maximum temperature expected to hover around 37°C.

Outlook

With monsoon advancing swiftly and global conditions favoring robust rainfall, 2025 could mark a strong monsoon season, easing worries about water scarcity and aiding India’s largely monsoon-dependent agricultural sector.

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Ganpat Singh Chouhan
Ganpat Singh Chouhan
My name is Ganpat Singh Choughan. I am an experienced content writer with 7 years of expertise in the field. Currently, I contribute to Daily Kiran, creating engaging and informative content across a variety of categories including technology, health, travel, education, and automobiles. My goal is to deliver accurate, insightful, and captivating information through my words to help readers stay informed and empowered.