The India Meteorological Department declared the onset of the southwest monsoon over the Kerala coast, marking the official start of the 2026 monsoon season.
IMD criteria for onset include sustained rainfall over designated monitoring stations, wind pattern shifts, and atmospheric humidity thresholds along the southern coastline. Kerala traditionally receives the first monsoon rains before the system advances northward over weeks toward the Gangetic plain and northeast.
The annual monsoon delivers roughly 70 percent of India’s annual rainfall, vital for agriculture, reservoirs, and hydroelectric generation. Farmers in Kerala and neighbouring states begin planting operations timed to moisture arrival, while planners watch for early or delayed onset signals affecting food inflation forecasts.
Declaration triggers updated forecasts for regional distribution and potential extreme events during the four-month season. IMD will issue periodic bulletins as the monsoon progresses, guiding disaster preparedness in flood-prone and drought-sensitive districts nationwide.
IMD monitors rainfall, wind patterns, and humidity thresholds along the Kerala coast to declare southwest monsoon onset each year. The 2026 declaration starts the seasonal clock for forecasts covering rainfall distribution, drought risk, and flood preparedness across India’s agricultural heartland.
Southwest monsoon progression after Kerala onset determines planting schedules for rice, pulses, and oilseeds across India. IMD will update regional forecasts as the system advances toward Maharashtra, Karnataka, and the Gangetic plain over coming weeks.
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Sources:
https://news.google.com/home?hl=en-IN&gl=IN&ceid=IN%3Aen