Monsoon Arrives Early in Kerala, Red Alert Issued in Multiple States for Heavy Rainfall
New Delhi, 24th May 2025: The southwest monsoon has officially made landfall in Kerala, marking its earliest onset in the past 16 years. According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the monsoon arrived on 24 May, a full eight days ahead of its usual onset date of 1 June.
“This is the earliest monsoon onset since 2009, and among the earliest in the last century,” IMD officials confirmed in a statement. Historically, the monsoon reached Kerala as early as 11 May in 1918, while the latest onset occurred in 1972 on 18 June, marking a significant delay that year.
Historical Monsoon Onset in Kerala (2009–2024)
Year Date
2009 23 May
2010 31 May
2011 29 May
2012 5 June
2013 1 June
2014 6 June
2015 5 June
2016 8 June
2017 30 May
2018 29 May
2019 8 June
2020 1 June
2021 3 June
2022 29 May
2023 8 June
2024 30 May
Heavy Rain Forecast Across India
The early onset is expected to bring widespread rainfall across several regions. The IMD has issued alerts for light to intense thunderstorms and heavy rainfall in 15 states over the coming days.
States including Bihar, Jharkhand, and Odisha are likely to experience heavy rains until 26 May. Meanwhile, the western coastal belt—comprising Gujarat, Goa, Maharashtra, Karnataka, and Kerala—could see up to 200 mm of rainfall over the next seven days.
Red Alert Issued in Kerala, Goa, and Karnataka
The IMD has raised a red alert, the highest warning level, in three states due to the risk of extremely heavy rainfall and adverse weather conditions.
In Karnataka, districts such as Uttara Kannada, Udupi, Dakshina Kannada, Kodagu, Shivamogga, and Chikmagalur are under red alert.
Goa has also been placed under red alert through 25 May, with continuous heavy rainfall expected.
Kerala, the monsoon’s entry point, will remain on red alert until 27 May, with multiple districts bracing for intense downpours.
Authorities have urged residents in affected areas to remain cautious and follow weather advisories closely. Disaster response teams have been activated in vulnerable districts, and coastal states have initiated preventive measures to mitigate flood risks.
As monsoon progresses northward in the coming weeks, more states are likely to witness increasing rainfall activity. The IMD is expected to release further updates as the monsoon advances.
