Rainy Season Begins as Southwest Monsoon Arrives in Kerala, Three Days Behind Schedule

New Delhi, 4th June 2026: The Southwest Monsoon made its onset over Kerala on Thursday, marking the beginning of the country’s four-month rainy season, around three days later than its normal arrival date. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) said conditions are now favourable for the monsoon to advance further into parts of the Arabian Sea, Bay of Bengal and adjoining regions over the coming days.

Following its arrival in Kerala, the monsoon is expected to gradually progress northwards and cover most parts of the country by mid-July. Its advance is closely tracked as nearly half of India’s cultivated land depends on rainfall, making the monsoon critical for agricultural output, rural incomes and the broader economy.

The IMD has forecast isolated heavy to very heavy rainfall in Kerala over the next few days, while parts of Tamil Nadu and Karnataka are also likely to receive heavy showers. Thunderstorms accompanied by gusty winds have been predicted over several regions of north-west, central, eastern and southern India.

Meteorologists attributed the delayed onset to a typhoon developing over the western Pacific, which diverted moisture away from the Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal. A cyclonic circulation near the Lakshadweep region also slowed the monsoon’s advance towards the Kerala coast.

Weather experts are also keeping a close watch on evolving El Niño conditions in the Pacific Ocean. El Niño is generally associated with weaker monsoon rainfall and hotter summers in India. International climate agencies have indicated a high probability of El Niño conditions persisting through November, raising concerns over the performance of the monsoon season.