Monsoon 2025: The southwest monsoon which made landfall in Kerala on Saturday, May 24 has progressed further. It advanced into some more parts of west central and east central Arabian Sea, Karnataka, entire Goa, parts of Maharashtra, Mizoram, some parts of Manipur and Nagaland on Sunday, May 25. The monsoon is further expected to reach into some more parts of Maharashtra including Mumbai, Karnataka including Bengaluru, Andhra Pradesh, remaining parts of Tamil Nadu in the next three days.
Monsoon Arrives Early In India
The onset of southwest monsoon on May 24, marked its earliest arrival over the Indian mainland since 2009, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD). It is eight days earlier than its normal onset date of June 1.
“The Southwest Monsoon has set in over Kerala today, the 24th May, 2025, against the normal date of 1st June. Thus, the southwest monsoon has set in over Kerala 8 days before the normal date. This is the earliest monsoon onset over Kerala after the year 2009, when it was set in over Kerala on 23rd May 2009,” said the IMD official.
IMD Bhubaneswar Director Manorama Mohanty reacting on the early arrival of monsoon this year, said, “Rain is happening and one trough is extending from east central Arabian Sea where depression is there and trough is drawn from that cyclonic circulation which is associated with the depression over east central Arabian Sea to the South Chhattisgarh.”
The IMD had earlier predicted the onset of southwest monsoon on May 27, but it came much ahead of its schedule. In this article, through the available IMD inputs, we will explore what triggered the early arrival of monsoon this year.
Update on Further advance of Southwest Monsoon today, the 25th May, 2025
❖The Southwest Monsoon has further advanced into some more parts of westcentral & eastcentral Arabian Sea, some more parts of Karnataka, entire Goa, some parts of Maharashtra, some more parts of… pic.twitter.com/CgniIU1QIE
— India Meteorological Department (@Indiametdept) May 25, 2025
Why Did The Southwest Monsoon Arrive Early In India?
Stronger Pre-Monsoon Activity
The southern peninsular India witnessed pre-monsoon showers, increased humidity and cloud formations, which created conditions favourable for the monsoon to advance sooner. States like Kerala, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu witnessed intense spell of rain over the past few weeks.
Low-Pressure Area Over Arabian Sea
According to the IMD, a low-pressure area developed over the Arabian Sea along with a trough line extending across Vidarbha increased moisture inflow, adding to the conditions for monsoon’s advance.
Cyclonic Circulation Development
Furthermore, the presence of a cyclonic circulation over the Bay of Bengal and the Arabian Sea helped draw moist winds inland, which accelerated the onset of Monsoon.
Early Advancement In Andaman & Nicobar Islands
The Southwest Monsoon had begun advancing towards Indian mainland, with conditions becoming favourable in Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Andaman Sea and some parts of South Bay of Bengal. Andaman & Nicobar Islands on May 13. This was the earliest signs of monsoon progression. The early advancement further accelerated southwest monsoon’s movement towards Kerala.
Neutral El Nino
Neutral El Nino-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) conditions were observed during the period, which usually support a normal monsoon.
Warming of Ocean Waters
Above-normal sea surface temperatures in parts of the Indian Ocean also helped increase evaporation and cloud formation, encouraging early rainfall and monsoon-like conditions.
Weakened Anticyclone Over Arabian Sea
The lower pressure over the Arabian Sea this year, allowed monsoon winds to move in earlier. Typically, monsoon winds get delayed due to high pressure over the sea, but this year it wasn’t the case as it was weaker than usual.
Also Read: IMD Weather LIVE Updates: Monsoon Progresses Across Southern States, Red Alert In Kerala!
