Southwest Monsoon Arrives Early, Triggers Nationwide Weather Shift
INVC NEWS
New Delhi — : Kerala witnessed the official arrival of the southwest monsoon on Saturday, marking a significant weather shift across the country. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) confirmed the onset, nearly eight days ahead of its normal date, and forecasted that the monsoon is likely to sweep eastwards, impacting South Coastal Maharashtra, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu in the coming days.
Heavy Rainfall Predicted in Kerala, South India Braces for Monsoon Impact
As monsoon clouds gather momentum, Kerala and Mahe are set to experience heavy rainfall on May 25 and 26, according to the IMD. Coastal and ghat regions of Karnataka and ghat areas of Tamil Nadu are also forecast to receive significant rainfall. Thunderstorms and lightning are expected in these regions, accompanied by strong winds and isolated intense showers.
Meanwhile, Telangana, Puducherry, Karaikal, and South Interior Karnataka are likely to see scattered rainfall. The weather shift will bring welcome relief to some regions reeling under extreme heat, but it also raises the risk of localized flooding and transport disruptions.
Maharashtra Under Red Alert: Extremely Heavy Rainfall Forecast in Konkan Belt
A Red Alert has been issued for Ratnagiri and Sindhudurg districts in South Konkan, Maharashtra. According to the IMD, a low-pressure area has developed between Ratnagiri and Dapoli, prompting the weather bureau to forecast extremely heavy rainfall in these districts over the next 48 hours.
Neighboring districts have also been placed on high alert:
Raigad – Orange Alert
Mumbai, Thane, and Palghar – Yellow Alert (Moderate to heavy rain expected)
Fishermen have been advised to avoid venturing into the Arabian Sea, as sea conditions remain rough to very rough due to increasing wind speeds and rising wave heights.
Northeast India to See Torrential Rains Over Next Two Days
The seven northeastern states, including Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram, and Tripura, are forecast to receive heavy to very heavy rainfall in isolated places over the next 48 hours. The early advancement of the monsoon into Mizoram, nearly 12 days ahead of schedule, has accelerated the rainfall pattern in this region.
This could lead to localized flash floods, landslides in hilly terrain, and traffic disruption in urban pockets. Residents are urged to remain vigilant and follow local advisories.
North and Central India Face Contrasting Weather Conditions
While southern and northeastern states are bracing for heavy rainfall, northwest India continues to reel under a heatwave. Rajasthan, Punjab, Haryana, and Jammu & Kashmir are expected to witness soaring temperatures over the next 48 hours. However, rainfall relief is forecast in parts of Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Jammu & Kashmir-Ladakh, and even western Uttar Pradesh on Sunday and Monday.
There is also a possibility of hailstorms in isolated locations in Uttarakhand, while thunderstorms and lightning could accompany showers across the Himalayan belt.
Meanwhile, eastern and central states including Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Vidarbha, Chhattisgarh, Odisha, Jharkhand, Bihar, Gangetic Bengal, and Sikkim are set to experience rain, lightning, and gusty winds. These conditions may result in power outages, waterlogging, and delays in daily routines.
Monsoon Timeline Disrupted: Early Onset Impacts Forecast Models
Traditionally, the southwest monsoon reaches Kerala by June 1 and Northeast India by June 5. However, this year, the early arrival in Kerala and Mizoram is likely to disrupt forecast models and agricultural planning. According to IMD:
Monsoon has advanced into South Arabian Sea, West-Central and East-Central Arabian Sea, Lakshadweep, Mahe, Maldives, and large parts of Tamil Nadu.
In the next 2–3 days, it is expected to advance further into Central Arabian Sea, entire Goa, and parts of Maharashtra, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh.
These early movements can be attributed to favorable wind patterns, sea surface temperatures, and atmospheric pressure conditions.
Heatwave to Persist in Northern Plains Despite Monsoon Advancing
Even as the southern regions receive rain, the northern plains continue to sizzle. IMD has forecast severe heatwave conditions in:
Rajasthan – Likely to persist for 1–2 more days
Punjab and Haryana – Day temperatures could remain 4–6°C above normal
Jammu & Kashmir – Heat stress warning issued in lowland areas
Urban centers in these states are experiencing high UV index readings, prompting public health advisories regarding heatstroke prevention and hydration.
