Monsoon Update: Kerala to Welcome Rains within 24 Hours, Earliest Onset in 16 Years

Southwest Monsoon Set for Earliest Kerala Onset in 16 Years, Expected Within 24 Hours

Southwest Monsoon makes its earliest landfall over Kerala in 16 years, with the India Meteorological Department (IMD) indicating on Saturday, May 24th, that its arrival is expected within the next 24 hours. This is ahead of the traditional June 1st onset date and marks a crucial development for India's primary rainy season.

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Monsoon to touch Kerala Ahead of Schedule

Favourable atmospheric and oceanic conditions have rapidly developed, prompting the IMD to accelerate its forecast for the monsoon's arrival over the Kerala coast. Heavy rainfall has already been lashing several parts of the state over the past two days, influenced by a combination of a low-pressure area and the advancing monsoon system. The last time the monsoon arrived this early in Kerala was in 2009 and 2001, when it reached the state on May 23rd. While the earliest recorded arrival was May 11, 1918, this year's onset, potentially by May 24th or early May 25th, is nearly a week ahead of the normal schedule.

Widespread Heavy Rainfall Forecasted

In conjunction with the monsoon's advance, the IMD has forecast a period of intense rainfall. Isolated extremely heavy rainfall is predicted over Kerala, coastal and south interior Karnataka, and the Konkan & Goa region today, Saturday, May 24th. Very heavy rainfall is also anticipated over parts of Tamil Nadu, north interior Karnataka, and interior Maharashtra. Furthermore, heavy to very heavy showers are likely in areas of Gujarat. Authorities in Kerala are on alert, with measures being put in place for potential extreme rain events, including the deployment of National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams from June 1st.

The early arrival of the Southwest Monsoon over Kerala signifies the official commencement of the vital rainy season for the Indian mainland. This development, accompanied by forecasts of significant rainfall across southern and western states, will be crucial for agriculture, water resources, and overall economic activity, but also necessitates preparedness for potential heavy downpours in the initial phase.

Picture Courtesy: The Tribune