IMD Forecasts Delay in Kerala’s Southwest Monsoon Onset by a Few Days

New Delhi:The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has announced a slight delay in the onset of the southwest monsoon over Kerala. Instead of the usual June 1 arrival, the monsoon is now expected to make its entry around June 4, with a model error of 4 days. Last year, the monsoon arrived in Kerala on May 29, followed by June 3 in 2021 and June 1 in 2020.

The onset of the southwest monsoon in Kerala is a significant event that marks the transition from the hot and dry season to the rainy season across the Indian mainland. Despite evolving El Nino conditions, the IMD previously predicted normal rainfall during the southwest monsoon season in India.

Rainfed agriculture plays a crucial role in India’s agricultural landscape, with approximately 52 percent of the cultivated area relying on this method. It contributes around 40 percent of the country’s total food production, highlighting its importance for both food security and economic stability in India.