While the early arrival marks a rare event, IMD says it has no direct link to the season’s total rainfall.
May 24, 2025, The southwest monsoon made its earliest arrival over the Indian mainland since 2009, hitting Kerala on Saturday, May 24, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD). Typically, the monsoon reaches Kerala by June 1 and covers the entire country by July 8.
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Recent Onset Trends:
- 2024: May 30
- 2023: June 8
- 2022: May 29
- 2021: June 3
- 2020: June 1
- 2019: June 8
- 2018: May 29
The last time it arrived earlier was in 2009, on May 23. The earliest recorded onset since 1975 was on May 19, 1990 — 13 days ahead of the normal date.
Onset vs. Rainfall:
Meteorologists emphasize that the onset date does not have a direct relationship with the total monsoon rainfall across India. An IMD official said, “The early or late arrival in Kerala does not directly impact how quickly the monsoon covers other regions of the country.”
2025 Monsoon Outlook:
- IMD has forecast above-normal cumulative rainfall for the 2025 season, ruling out El Niño conditions that usually cause below-normal rainfall.
- Rainfall definitions:
- Normal: 96-104% of 87 cm (50-year average)
- Deficient: <90%
- Below normal: 90-95%
- Above normal: 105-110%
- Excess: >110%
In 2024, India received 934.8 mm of rainfall (108% of the average), the highest since 2020. In 2023, rainfall was 820 mm (94.4%), while 2022 saw 925 mm and 2020 had 958 mm.
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Importance of the Monsoon:
The monsoon is vital for India’s agriculture sector, which supports 42% of the population and contributes 18.2% to the GDP. It also replenishes crucial reservoirs that supply drinking water and power generation across the country.
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monsoon 2025, India rainfall update, IMD monsoon forecast, Kerala rainfall, Indian agriculture monsoon