Early Monsoon Hits Kerala, IMD Warns of Intense Rainfall Across India
Southwest Monsoon Arrives Early in Kerala, Bringing Heavy Rainfall and Thunderstorms
The Southwest Monsoon has made an early appearance over Kerala on May 24, nearly a week ahead of its usual onset date of June 1, as per the India Meteorological Department (IMD). This marks the earliest onset of the monsoon since 2009, according to reports.
The IMD anticipates prolonged heavy to very heavy rainfall to persist over the west coast, including Kerala, Karnataka, coastal Maharashtra, and Goa in the coming seven days, with the possibility of extremely heavy rainfall in Kerala between May 24 and 26. A depression is currently present over the East Central Arabian Sea and adjoining south Konkan coast and is expected to move eastward, crossing south coastal Maharashtra by noon on May 24.
Amidst these developments, severe heatwave conditions are expected to continue in Rajasthan until May 27 and in Punjab, Haryana, Jammu, and Kashmir until May 26. Manorama Mohanty, Director of IMD Bhubaneswar, stated that heavy rainfall, thunderstorm activity with lightning, and gusty surface winds are likely to occur over the districts of Odisha from May 24 to 30.
In her statement, Mohanty added that rain is currently happening due to a trough extending from the East Central Arabian Sea, where a depression has formed, to the South Chhattisgarh region. Southern and coastal states, like Kerala, are bracing for the downpours, while northern and northwestern India continue to grapple with heat waves and severe heat waves, particularly in Rajasthan, Punjab, Haryana, and Jammu and Kashmir.
While the primary influence of the monsoon has been focused on southern and western states, Odisha, an eastern state, is likely to experience increased chances of heavy rain, thunderstorms, and gusty winds. In addition to these weather phenomena, isolated heavy rain activities can be anticipated in certain districts, such as Mayurbhanj, Keonjhargarh, Balasore, Bhadrak, Kendrapara, Jagatsinghpur, Ganjam, Gajapati, Rayagada, Koraput, and Malkangiri, throughout the next seven days.
The IMD has issued an orange warning, advising residents to remain vigilant. The monsoon season is expected to continue with fluctuations and breaks, but agricultural communities and water security stakeholders are hopeful that the early and vigorous onset of the monsoon will positively impact the kharif crop season, provided the rainfall remains steady and well-distributed.
Scientists predict heavy to very heavy rainfall in the coming days, specifically in environmental-science areas like Kerala, Karnataka, coastal Maharashtra, and Goa, due to the Southwest Monsoon. Climate-change researchers are closely monitoring the weather forecasting to assess how this early arrival of the monsoon might impact the rest of the weather patterns in India.
