Why do monsoons hit Kerala first?
Darkish clouds loomed over the skies of Palakkad, Kerala.
| Photograph Credit score: Okay Okay Mustafah
The summer time kicks in and units in exhausting, with the scorching solar proper above us. Then we wait — eyes on the skies, hoping for the primary splash of rain. And the place does it fall first? On the plush, inexperienced land of God’s Personal Nation — Kerala. However what makes Kerala so particular? Why is it the primary to be kissed by the monsoon clouds?
The place does the monsoon come from?
Yearly, because the blazing summer time begins to fade, the southwest monsoon units out on its journey. The rains often arrive round June, marking the onset of the monsoon season. Heat air over the Indian subcontinent rises, pulling in cool, moisture-filled winds from the Arabian Sea, part of the Indian Ocean.
These winds journey from the southwest course, carrying darkish clouds heavy with rain. This pulls in cool, moisture-laden winds from the Indian Ocean. Blowing in from the southwest, these winds carry darkish, heavy rain clouds — able to pour down and break the summer time spell.
Why Kerala? (The primary cease)
The geographical place of Kerala performs an enormous position. The state lies on the southwest coast of India, making it the primary landmass to be hit by the southwest monsoon after it travels throughout the Indian Ocean. Including to this, the Western Ghats — an extended mountain vary — run parallel to the coast.
These mountains drive the moisture-laden winds to rise. Because the winds are pushed upwards, they quiet down, resulting in condensation and rainfall. This leads to heavy early showers in Kerala, even earlier than the rains start their journey throughout the remainder of India.
The southwest monsoon arrives in Kerala early, pushing additional into neighbouring states, with above-normal rainfall predicted for India.
| Photograph Credit score:
India Meteorological Division
Do you know?
The monsoon arrived in Kerala sooner than common this yr — marking the earliest onset since 2009! Whereas the official date is often round June 1, this yr the rain clouds reached Kerala forward of schedule, shocking climate watchers and bringing early reduction from the summer time warmth.
Then what occurs? (The journey continues)
After drenching Kerala, the monsoon begins its march throughout India. It strikes north and east, bringing much-needed rain to state after state. Slowly however steadily, the rain clouds cowl the whole nation — from the coastal plains to the mountains. It often takes a few month for the monsoon to succeed in each nook of India.
Wet info
Wettest place on earth
Mawsynram in Meghalaya holds the title of the wettest place on the planet, receiving over 11,000 mm of rainfall a yr!
Driest place in India
Leh in Ladakh will get the least rainfall — typically lower than 100 mm yearly! That’s nearly like a desert!
Kerala’s massive welcome
Kerala doesn’t simply get the primary rains — in some years, it will get greater than 300 cm of rain within the monsoon season alone!
Monsoon is available in two elements
India truly has two monsoons — the Southwest Monsoon (June to September) and the Northeast Monsoon (October to December), which primarily impacts Tamil Nadu and elements of the east coast.
Festivals observe the rains
Many Indian festivals like Onam, Teej, and Pongal are carefully tied to the arrival or finish of the monsoon season.
Monsoon watch
The India Meteorological Division (IMD) tracks the monsoon’s progress and even predicts its arrival — folks throughout the nation observe the updates like cricket scores!
Revealed – June 24, 2025 12:54 pm IST
