Thiruvananthapuram, 04 June (H.S.):The India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Thursday officially declared the onset of the southwest monsoon over Kerala, marking the beginning of the country’s crucial four-month rainy season. The monsoon arrived in the state on June 4, three days later than its normal onset date of June 1.

With the declaration, the southwest monsoon has now advanced over the entire Kerala and Mahe region, bringing widespread rainfall and setting the stage for its gradual spread across the rest of the country in the coming weeks. The arrival of the monsoon over Kerala is closely monitored every year as it serves as the first major indicator of the progress of India’s rainy season, which is vital for agriculture, drinking water availability, hydropower generation and overall economic activity.

According to the IMD, the monsoon has covered the remaining parts of the southwest and southeast Arabian Sea, the entire Lakshadweep region, Kerala and Mahe. It has also advanced into parts of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, the remaining areas of the Kanyakumari region, and sections of the south, southwest, central and northeast Bay of Bengal.

Meteorologists said atmospheric conditions have become increasingly favourable for further advancement of the monsoon. Over the next two to three days, it is expected to spread into more parts of the central Arabian Sea, the entire Goa region, parts of Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh, additional areas of Karnataka, the remaining parts of Tamil Nadu, the central and northeastern Bay of Bengal, and parts of northeast India.

The IMD said the declaration was based on several key meteorological indicators observed during the past 48 hours. These included a significant increase in dense cloud cover over the southeast Arabian Sea and a strengthening of monsoon circulation. Westerly winds over the region extended up to 4.5 kilometres above mean sea level, while wind speeds in the lower atmosphere strengthened to around 20–25 knots, meeting the criteria required for declaring the onset of the monsoon.

The weather department also noted that widespread rainfall had been recorded across Kerala during the past two days, with isolated locations experiencing heavy showers. With favourable conditions persisting, forecasters expect the monsoon to continue its steady advance across the Indian mainland in the coming days.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Arun Lakshman