Mrudula Narale
Pune | May 14, 2025: The southwest monsoon unexpectedly made an early entry into the Andaman and Nicobar Islands on Tuesday, nine days before its normal May 22 schedule. The early arrival has generated hope all over India, signaling a rapid march towards the mainland and relief from the stifling summer heat. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) also confirmed the onset of the monsoon, pointing out its ability to progress rapidly, with the forecast indicating 105% of normal seasonal rainfall this year.
India’s classic monsoon entrance, the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, have been soaked by rain over the last four days. The west-southwesterly strengthening winds and unabated rains over the south Andaman Sea, south Bay of Bengal, Nicobar Islands, and areas of the north Andaman Sea led the IMD to announce the onset of the monsoon. The IMD foresees the monsoon enveloping the Maldives, Comorin Islands, south Arabian Sea, and all of Andaman and Nicobar in the next three to four days. The cyclonic circulation anticipated over the Bay of Bengal on May 15-16 will most likely hasten this progress, bringing the monsoon to Kerala as early as May 27, a fortnight earlier than its usual June 1 onset.
In Maharashtra, the monsoon is projected to reach south Maharashtra by June 6, Pune by June 10, and Mumbai by June 11. However, the current momentum suggests it could arrive even earlier. Meanwhile, unseasonal rainfall has already swept across parts of Maharashtra, driven by high daytime temperatures and humid winds. On Tuesday, Pune saw a sudden hour-long rain shower that flooded low-lying areas, caused traffic disruptions, and resulted in large-scale waterlogging. The downpour revealed the city’s persistent issues with monsoon readiness and urban planning, as roads were rendered impassable and transport systems collapsed.
Early monsoon activity in May represents an interesting turnaround of seasonal trends when there are more rainy days compared to heatwave days. After days of ascension in terms of temperatures and humidity, there is the sudden change providing respite temporarily as well as laying bare infrastructural weaknesses. Overwhelming rains at Pune and in other parts raise the question of the requirement of better drainage schemes and aggressive management of urban regions to help defuse such kinds of weather impacts.
It also reminds one, though, of the plight faced by cities such as Pune during heavy rains. With the IMD predicting sustained progress of the monsoon, the people and administration alike are gearing up for an above-average rainy season, with a call to be more prepared so that relief comes through rain and not strife.
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