The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has indicated that the southwest monsoon is likely to make its onset over Kerala within the next 24 hours, marking the official start of the crucial June-September rainy season. This development comes slightly later than the typical arrival date of June 1, offering anticipation for millions dependent on seasonal rainfall.
According to the IMD, conditions remain favourable for the monsoon’s further advance into additional areas of the southwest and southeast Arabian Sea, Lakshadweep Islands, parts of Kerala and Tamil Nadu, as well as several regions across the Bay of Bengal over the coming day. Once it establishes over Kerala, the monsoon is expected to progress northward, potentially reaching Telangana within approximately one week.
The weather agency has forecast isolated heavy to very heavy rainfall across Kerala over the next six to seven days, along with the possibility of moderate to severe thunderstorm activity and squally winds reaching 40-50 kmph in various parts of the country, including northwest, central, east India, and south Peninsular India.
Several regions in southern India are already experiencing significant rainfall. In Tamil Nadu, the IMD has issued warnings for heavy rain in districts including Tenkasi, Tirunelveli, and hilly areas of Nilgiris, Coimbatore, Theni, and others. Kanyakumari district is likely to receive very heavy rainfall over the next five days. Moderate rain accompanied by thunderstorms and lightning is expected in Chennai and surrounding suburbs in the next 24 hours.
In Kerala, heavy rains have already begun in several areas. The IMD has placed an orange alert for Alappuzha, Kottayam, and Ernakulam districts for a three-hour period, warning of thunderstorms with heavy rainfall and wind speeds up to 40 kmph. Thunderstorms with moderate rainfall are also likely in districts such as Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Pathanamthitta, Idukki, and Thrissur.
Meanwhile, the IMD has withdrawn heatwave alerts across Telangana as temperatures have started to ease due to changing weather patterns. Speaking to news agency ANI, IMD Hyderabad Meteorologist GNRS Srinivas noted that while intense heat had persisted since mid-May, particularly in northern and eastern districts, recent synoptic developments have brought relief, leading to the withdrawal of alerts in recent days.
