India’s 2025 southwest monsoon is expected to reach Kerala on May 27, five days ahead of schedule. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) shared this forecast on Saturday, marking the earliest arrival in at least five years. The early rains are vital for nearly half of India’s rain-fed farms and may ease food supply concerns during regional tensions. Early rainfall is also expected to support timely sowing of key crops like rice, corn, and soybean.

BulletsIn

• Monsoon likely to hit Kerala on May 27, 5 days early
• First early arrival since at least 5 years, says IMD
• June–September rains key for 50% of India’s unirrigated farmland
• Supports sowing of rice, soybean, corn, cotton, sugarcane
• Encourages early planting in world’s top rice-exporting nation
• Boosts hopes amid India-Pakistan military conflict worries
• Monsoon feeds ₹4 trillion economy, recharges groundwater, reservoirs
• IMD forecast above-normal rains for second straight year
• Normal rainfall: 96–104% of 87 cm 50-year average
• 2024 monsoon was strongest since 2020, helped drought recovery