Rain Before Time: Early Monsoon Hits Telangana, Kerala, Konkan, India Sees First Major Shift in 15 Years

For the first time since 2009, India is poised to experience a major deviation in the usual monsoon timeline. Meteorologists are forecasting an early arrival of the southwest monsoon this year an event that has stirred both excitement and concern across the nation.

Unseasonal Weather Signals a Change

Recent weather has been anything but typical. Instead of the scorching heat usually seen in May, parts of India have faced hailstorms and unexpected rainfall. These anomalies initially raised fears of a delayed monsoon, but current projections now point to an early onset—offering hope to many, especially farmers.

However, this shift is not without warning signs. Experts note that the underlying cause lies in increasing climate instability, making weather patterns harder to predict and more volatile overall.

Cyclone Shakti & Monsoon Acceleration

A low-pressure system named Cyclone Shakti has formed over the Bay of Bengal and is expected to intensify between May 22 and 25. Despite this, weather experts say that several regions, particularly Telangana, could receive monsoon showers earlier than usual. The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) expects the southwest monsoon to reach Telangana around June 4–5—almost a week ahead of schedule.

Early Rains for Kerala and Konkan Too

Kerala is likely to welcome the monsoon by May 27, according to IMD scientist A. Shravani. The Konkan coast including Mumbai and Goa may receive monsoon rains between June 2 and 4. These dates are 5–6 days earlier than average. Shravani emphasized that this advancement reflects broader climatic disruptions that deserve closer attention.

What’s Driving the Early Monsoon?

Strong equatorial winds and elevated moisture levels in the Bay of Bengal are speeding up the monsoon’s path. AVM Sharma from Skymet Weather explained that the monsoon usually follows a fixed path: reaching South Andaman by May 15, Sri Lanka by May 22, Myanmar by May 26, and Kerala by June 1. This year, the entire sequence is ahead of schedule.

Interestingly, a similar pattern was last recorded in 2009, when the monsoon hit Kerala on May 23 and spread rapidly across the country with generous rainfall.

Telangana: Battling Heat and Hoping for Rain

Y.V. Ramarao from the Telangana State Development Planning Society noted that the early monsoon in the region is being caused by a clash of moist southwesterly and dry northwesterly winds. This interaction is causing atmospheric instability, light showers, and relatively moderate temperatures. Currently, Telangana is seeing highs around 40°C slightly lower than the seasonal average.

He also pointed to other factors aggravating local climate conditions: rapid urbanization, air pollution, and widespread deforestation, all of which are intensifying the Urban Heat Island effect and raising city temperatures.

Brief Heat Surge Expected Before Relief

Starting May 16, dry winds from the northwest may temporarily increase temperatures. However, with rain systems gaining strength in the Bay of Bengal, this heat is expected to be short-lived.

A Welcome Monsoon with a Warning

While the early arrival of the monsoon is good news especially for agriculture and water availability it also highlights the growing unpredictability of India’s climate. Weather experts urge that these shifts not be taken lightly, as they point to deeper, long-term environmental changes.

In summary, the early monsoon of 2025 offers hope amid rising climate concerns. It brings the promise of relief from heat and water shortages but also serves as a reminder of the urgent need to address environmental degradation and strengthen our resilience to climate change.