Weather Update: Monsoon sets in over Kerala 8 days before normal, earliest arrival since 2009–Latest news

Monsoon Arrival Update: The Southwest monsoon set in over Kerala on Saturday, May 24, marking the earliest arrival of the crucial rainy season in 16 years, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the national weather-forecasting agency. 

The arrival of monsoon is eight days ahead of its normal pattern, according to the IMD. 

Normally, the monsoon season reaches Kerala from the coast on June 1.

With monsoon setting in over the coastal state, this marks the earliest arrival of the season since 2009, when the arrival was recorded on May 23, according to data shared by IMD on X (formerly Twitter).

Monsoon Hits Kerala | Earliest arrival since 2009—IMD shares data

IMD Weather Warning Issued | Extremely heavy rainfall predicted in these states and regions

The weather forecaster has predicted "extremely heavy precipitation in "isolated places over Konkan and Goa, Madhya Maharashtra, Coastal Karnataka and South Interior Karnataka, and Kerala" on Saturday.

It also reported favourable conditions for the further advancement of the Southwest monsoon in the following regions over the next 2-3 days:

• Additional parts of the central Arabian Sea
• Entire Goa
• Parts of Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh
• Remaining parts of Tamil Nadu
• Additional parts of the west-central and North Bay of Bengal
• Additional parts of the Northeastern states
• Parts of Sub-Himalayan West Bengal and Sikkim 

"The Northern Limit of Monsoon passes through 13°N/55°E, 13°N/60°E, 13.5°N/65°E, 15°N/70°E, Karwar, Shimoga, Dharmapuri, Chennai, 15°N/83°E, 18°N/87°E, Saiha, 25°N/96°E, 27°N/98°E," the agency wrote on X. 

IMD Weather Warning (24.05.2025)

Extremely heavy rainfall likely to occur at isolated places over Konkan & Goa, Madhya Maharashtra, Coastal Karnataka and South Interior Karnataka, Kerala today.#RainySeason #rainfall #WeatherUpdate #karnataka #maharashtra #goa #Kerala… pic.twitter.com/mf9Nc69WIL

— India Meteorological Department (@Indiametdept) May 24, 2025

Monsoon Rains | Why is this the most important season for India?

Most farmers in India, especially those in rural parts of the country, rely entirely or heavily on the crucial monsoon season rains for irrigation.

Monsoon rains in the country primarily impact kharif crops, such as rice, cotton, maize, soybean and sugarcane. Typically, sowing for these crops These crops are sown during the monsoon season, which normally begins in June and lasts till October. and rely heavily on these rains for growth. On the flipside, rabi crops, such as wheat, mustard and peas, are sown after the monsoon season.