Relief from Heat? Early Monsoon Expected in India
ECMWF predicts early southwest monsoon 2026 arrival in India, possibly reaching Andaman by May 18–25 and Kerala by May 25; El Niño chances remain low
Udaipur, April 25, 2026 - In the midst of the April heatwave across India, with some places touching 44°C, there is good news regarding the southwest monsoon. Climate experts say there is a higher possibility of the monsoon arriving early this year.
Indications are several. The El Nino event is likely to be neutral this time. There is the presence of favourable conditions in the Indian Ocean and high temperatures inland. Additionally, a positive Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD) is also increasing the chances of early rainfall and an early monsoon onset.
According to the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF), the monsoon is expected to reach South India by the end of May with formation of favourable atmospheric winds over the southern Bay of Bengal. ECMWF says the monsoon may reach the Andaman and Nicobar Islands between May 18–25 and Kerala by May 25. Usually, the monsoon arrives in Kerala on June 1.
However, earlier this month, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) had said this year the monsoon in India is likely to be below normal (90–95% of the long-period average), which would be the first time in three years.
With Media Inputs
#Monsoon2026 #IndiaWeather #EarlyMonsoon #ECMWF #KeralaRain #AndamanIslands #ElNino #IndianOceanDipole #WeatherUpdate #MonsoonForecast #ClimateIndia #RajasthanHeat
To join us on Facebook Click Here and Subscribe to UdaipurTimes Broadcast channels on GoogleNews | Telegram | Signal