The monsoon has hit India early this year—by almost a week in Kerala and 10 days early in Maharashtra. On May 24, Kerala saw the earliest onset of monsoon since 2009. By May 26, Mumbai was drenched, flights were delayed, and local trains were thrown off schedule.
Mumbai Goes Underwater—Again
On May 25, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) declared monsoon’s arrival in Maharashtra—the earliest since 1990. The next day, Mumbai got soaked. Areas like Dadar, Parel, and Kalachowki saw flooded streets and stalled trains. The Colaba observatory recorded 135 mm of rain by 8:30 am. Santacruz wasn’t far behind with 33 mm.
Flight delays piled up. SpiceJet and Air India issued advisories. In classic Mumbai fashion, life went on—but slower, wetter, and with an extra dose of frustration.
“What we are witnessing right now is monsoon rainfall,” IMD scientist Sushma Nair told Indian Express. The city remains under yellow alert with gusty winds expected to hit 40 kmph.
Kerala Soaked Early Too
Meanwhile, in the south, Kerala welcomed the monsoon on May 24. That’s a full eight days before its usual June 1 date. Trees toppled, villages flooded, and tribal families in Wayanad were moved to relief camps. The rain didn’t stop there—it marched into Karnataka, Goa, and even reached Nagaland and Mizoram.
Also Read Kerala Monsoon Fury: Heavy Rains Wreak Havoc Across the State
So… Why So Early?
Turns out, nature aligned all the right buttons. Here’s what triggered the early arrival:
- Madden-Julian Oscillation (MJO): A tropical weather system that supercharges rainfall.
- Mascarene High: A high-pressure area in the Indian Ocean that helps pull monsoon winds northward.
- Monsoon Trough: A low-pressure corridor that acts like a rain expressway.
- Neutral ENSO conditions: With no El Niño holding it back, the monsoon flowed freely.
- Less Himalayan snow cover: Means quicker heating, which pulls the rain in faster.
Is This a Good Thing?
Mostly, yes. India depends on the monsoon for 70% of its annual rainfall, vital for farming and water supply. Ashwini Bansod of Phillip Capital India told Reuters that early rain boosts soil moisture, helping farmers sow crops earlier and possibly increase yield.
But in cities, we still haven’t figured out how to drain water properly. So while villages prep for planting, urban folks prep for paddling.
Also Read India Sees Earliest Monsoon Since 2009 as Rains Arrive Early in Kerala, Says IMD
