Kerala monsoon onset: Why southwest monsoon arrival matters for India

Key points

• The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has announced that the southwest monsoon is now expected to reach Kerala on Thursday (June 4, 2026).
• This marks the official start of the rainy season in India.
• Although we often think of the monsoon in terms of Kerala's coastal weather, its arrival affects the whole country’s economy, agriculture, and water supply.
• Why monsoon enters India from Kerala?
• Kerala’s geographical position is a significant factor influencing its climate, particularly its monsoon patterns.