Southwest monsoon sets over Kerala, advances into most parts of northeast India: IMD

Southwest Monsoon has set in over Kerala and advanced into most parts of Northeast India, India's weather office said on Thursday.

Monsoon hit Kerala's coasts a day earlier than forecasted by the Indian Meteorological Department. IMD on May 15 had announced the onset of monsoon over Kerala by May 31.

Weather scientists noted that Cyclone Remal, which struck West Bengal and Bangladesh on Sunday, may have drawn the monsoon flow to the Bay of Bengal, potentially contributing to its early onset in the northeast.


Kerala has been receiving heavy rains for the past few days resulting in a surplus May rainfall, the weather office data showed.

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The normal monsoon onset date for Arunachal Pradesh, Tripura, Nagaland, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Manipur, and Assam is June 5.

"The conditions also continue to become favourable for further advance of Southwest Monsoon into some more parts of South Arabian Sea, remaining parts of Maldives, Comorin, Lakshadweep, southwest and central Bay of Bengal, northeast Bay of Bengal and some parts of Northeastern states during the same period," the IMD said previously.

The monsoon is vital for India’s agriculture, as 52 per cent of the net cultivated area depends on it. Additionally, it plays a key role in replenishing reservoirs needed for drinking water and power generation nationwide.

June and July are the most crucial monsoon months for agriculture as the majority of Kharif crop sowing occurs during this time.

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