The South West Monsoon, which was initially expected to arrive in Kerala on Tuesday, will likely be further delayed, according to weather experts. According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the monsoon will arrive in Kerala only by June 3.
The initial prediction was that the monsoon could start in Kerala before June 1, as the powerful "push-pull" atmospheric mechanism that propels the phenomenon is currently active.
While the Mascarene High, the high-pressure zone that forms in the southern Indian Ocean, is active and has driven monsoon winds as far as Lakshadweep, the low-pressure area over the North Indian plains is also engaged in pulling the cross-equatorial winds toward the Indian subcontinent. However, certain missing parameters have prompted the IMD to announce the delay in the onset of the South West Monsoon.
However, the cyclone that formed in the Bay of Bengal and the weakening of the westerly winds caused the delay in the monsoon.
In its latest update released on Wednesday, May 27, the IMD said that favorable atmospheric and oceanic conditions have developed for the monsoon to advance further into the Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal over the next two to three days.
There are also concerns that the monsoon will also arrive in North India in the wake of the delay in Kerala. Historically, the southwest monsoon reaches Delhi around June 27. According to new assessments, this time too, the monsoon is expected to reach Delhi between June 25 and 30. Experts also point out the possibility of the monsoon advancing rapidly after its initial slow pace.
The IMD has already warned that the total rainfall in the 2026 monsoon season will be below average due to the El Nino phenomenon across the Pacific Ocean. El Niño reduces rainfall in India and causes frequent changes in weather patterns.
