The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has announced that the southwest monsoon has made an early advance into parts of the southeast Arabian Sea, southwest and southeast Bay of Bengal, Andaman Sea, and the Nicobar and Andaman Islands. According to the IMD, the monsoon advanced into these regions on May 16, nearly six days ahead of its normal schedule.
“The Southwest Monsoon has officially advanced into parts of the southeast Arabian Sea, southwest & southeast Bay of Bengal, many parts of the Andaman Sea, the entire Nicobar Islands and parts of the Andaman Islands, including Sri Vijaya Puram on May 16, 2026,” the weather department said in a statement.
The IMD has also forecast an early onset of the monsoon over Kerala, likely on May 26, with a model error margin of ±4 days. Normally, the southwest monsoon reaches Kerala around June 1, marking the beginning of the four-month rainy season across the country.
The department has further said that the conditions remain favourable for further advancement of the monsoon into additional parts of the southeast Arabian Sea, Bay of Bengal, remaining areas of the Andaman Sea and Islands, and parts of the east-central Bay of Bengal over the next three to four days.
“All the criteria are satisfied for the advance of the southwest monsoon over the region,” the IMD stated.
Meteorologists attributed the early advance to increased rainfall activity over the Nicobar Islands and adjoining Andaman Sea during the past two days, along with strengthening westerly winds and favourable Outgoing Longwave Radiation (OLR) patterns indicating strong convective cloud formation.
Fishermen Warning
Meanwhile, the IMD has issued a warning for fishermen due to expected squally weather conditions over several coastal and sea regions. Wind speeds of 40-50 kmph, gusting up to 60 kmph, are likely to hit along the Kerala coast and Lakshadweep area, while stronger winds of 45-55 kmph, gusting up to 65 kmph, are expected along the south Somalia coast.
Over the Bay of Bengal, similar conditions are likely to prevail over the Gulf of Mannar, the south Bay of Bengal, the east-central Bay of Bengal, and the Andaman Sea between May 16 and 19. Fishermen have been advised not to venture into these areas during the warning period.
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