The Southwest Monsoon 2025 made an early onset in Kerala on May 24, arriving eight days ahead of schedule, one of the earliest in recent years. It has already progressed into Maharashtra, Karnataka, Goa, and parts of Northeast India, bringing heavy rainfall to coastal regions.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) predicts an above-normal monsoon, raising hopes for record kharif crop production. The early onset is attributed to favorable atmosphere-ocean interactions, including the Madden-Julian Oscillation, and neutral El Niño and Indian Ocean Dipole conditions.
While the monsoon is expected to benefit agriculture and water availability, concerns remain over urban flooding, especially in Mumbai, Bengaluru, and Chennai. The monsoon’s further progress will be crucial in determining its overall economic and environmental impact.
