The southwest monsoon onset over Kerala is now forecast for June 4, 2026. The Indian Meteorological Department had initially projected arrival on May 26 but revised the outlook on May 29 after the delay.
Users can monitor cloud movement through INSAT-3DS imagery on the IMD satellite portal or its rapid-scan images. The interface allows selection of the Asia sector or focused loops covering the Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal. Observers should look for thick cloud masses advancing from southwest to northeast. The visible channel works best during daylight, while the infrared-1 channel is used at night.
For vertical storm structure, the Cloud Top Brightness Temperature layer displays dark red, purple, or bright white areas that indicate cloud temperatures linked to rainfall potential.
Official declaration requires measured rainfall at designated Kerala stations plus westerly winds reaching set height and speed thresholds. The monsoon is confirmed once it covers Kerala and advances across the nation.
Kerala receives the initial monsoon impact because of its location on India’s southwest coast. The southwest monsoon supplies roughly 80 percent of India’s yearly rainfall, supporting planting of rice, pulses, and sugarcane while sustaining rural incomes.
