Southwest Monsoon Hits Kerala Eight Days Early Marking Earliest Arrival Since 2009

The southwest monsoon has arrived early in Kerala, India, marking its earliest onset in 16 years and raising hopes for a bountiful agricultural season and relief from a heatwave. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) confirmed the monsoon's onset on May 24, ahead of the usual June 1 start, with favorable conditions expected to spread rains to other southern and northeastern states soon. While early monsoons can sometimes lead to erratic rainfall, the IMD forecasts an above-normal monsoon season this year, with rainfall expected to be about 105% of the long-period average. The early arrival is expected to benefit farming by enabling timely sowing of key crops like rice, corn, and cotton across southern and central India. Additionally, monsoon onset in Andhra Pradesh is also anticipated earlier than usual, around May 28 or 29, supporting early kharif crop sowing and replenishing essential water resources. This follows recent years of variable monsoon patterns but builds optimism for an active and well-distributed monsoon season in 2025.