The southwest monsoon is finally set to make its onset over Kerala on June 4, bringing the much-awaited start of India’s rainy season after a brief delay, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said on Tuesday.
The weather agency has forecast an active monsoon phase across southern India over the coming week, with Kerala expected to receive the heaviest rainfall as the monsoon makes landfall.
According to the IMD, several parts of Kerala are likely to witness heavy to very heavy rainfall over the next six to seven days, with isolated areas receiving between 7 cm and 20 cm of rain. Similar conditions are expected in parts of Tamil Nadu and Karnataka as monsoon winds strengthen over the Arabian Sea and continue their advance across the peninsula.
The arrival of the southwest monsoon is a crucial milestone for India’s economy and agriculture. Nearly half of the country’s cultivated land depends on seasonal rainfall, while reservoirs, rivers and hydropower projects also rely heavily on monsoon precipitation.
Along with widespread rain, the IMD has warned of intense weather activity across multiple regions of the country. Moderate to severe thunderstorms accompanied by lightning and gusty winds are expected over parts of northwest, central, eastern and southern India during the week.
Wind speeds could reach 40-50 kmph in several areas, raising concerns about damage to temporary structures, crops, power infrastructure and outdoor activities. Authorities have advised residents to remain cautious and follow local weather updates.
In northwestern states, including Delhi-NCR, Rajasthan, Punjab and Haryana, thunderstorms and strong winds are likely to continue providing relief from recent heatwave conditions. Similar weather patterns are expected across Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh, while Bihar, Jharkhand and West Bengal may experience intermittent rainfall and thunderstorm activity.
The forecast follows a spell of widespread pre-monsoon showers that have already brought down temperatures across many parts of the country.
Weather officials will closely monitor the monsoon’s movement in the coming days as it progresses from Kerala into other parts of southern and northeastern India.
A timely and evenly distributed monsoon remains vital for agriculture, water security and economic stability, making the next few weeks critical for millions of people across the country.
With heavy rain, thunderstorms and strong winds expected in several regions, India is preparing for an energetic start to the 2026 monsoon season.