Monsoon Arrives In Kerala Eight Days Early, Marking Earliest Onset Since 2009

The southwest monsoon made an early entry into Kerala on Saturday (24 May), arriving eight days ahead of its usual 1 June onset, India Today reported, citing the India Meteorological Department (IMD).

This marks the earliest monsoon onset in the state since 2009 and 2001.

“Southwest Monsoon has set in over Kerala today, the 24th May, 2025, against the normal date of 1st June. Thus, southwest monsoon has set in over Kerala 8 days before the normal date. This is the earliest date of monsoon onset over Kerala after the year 2009 when it was set in over Kerala on 23rd May 2009,” IMD said in a X post.

While the average monsoon onset date for Kerala is 1 June, historical records show it has varied widely. The earliest recorded onset was on 11 May in 1918, while the most delayed was on 18 June in 1972.

Over the past few years, the monsoon has shown varied patterns: it arrived on 30 May in 2024, 8 June in 2023, 29 May in 2022, and 3 June in 2021.

The most delayed onset in the last 25 years was in 2016, when the monsoon reached Kerala on 9 June.

In the days leading up to this year’s early arrival, conditions across Kerala became increasingly favorable, with widespread rainfall driven by a low-pressure system and the advancing monsoon front.

The IMD has issued forecasts of isolated extremely heavy rainfall across Kerala, coastal and south interior Karnataka, as well as Konkan and Goa for Saturday (24 May).

The department also warned of heavy to extremely heavy rain continuing over Kerala and coastal Karnataka until 29 May, accompanied by gusty winds reaching speeds of 40–50 km/h.

Tamil Nadu, Telangana, and Andhra Pradesh are also expected to experience scattered showers and thunderstorms over the next five days, the department noted.

Also Read: Germany Recognises India’s Right to Defend Itself Against Terrorism, Says EAM Jaishankar