CWRDM proposes immediate steps to face monsoon crisis in Kerala
The state witnessed one of its earliest monsoon onsets in recent years. According to CWRDM, this year's pattern—marked by intense rainfall in short bursts followed by dry spells—highlights the growing need for improved disaster preparedness and smarter water management.
In just one week, from May 24 to 31, Kozhikode recorded 620 mm of rainfall—nearly 28% of the region's average monsoon total. Daily rainfall during this period crossed 60 mm, sparking fears of flash floods, waterlogging, and landslides, especially in hilly regions.
'Traditionally, Kerala's monsoon sets in around June 1. But since 1970, nearly half of the monsoons have begun in late May,' said CWRDM executive director Manoj P Samuel. 'This year's early onset is among the earliest ever—second only to May 18, 1990,' he said.
Experts link this shift to warming sea surface temperatures in the Arabian Sea, stronger cross-equatorial winds, and global atmospheric changes such as the Madden-Julian Oscillation.
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Indian Express
6 days ago
- Indian Express
What caused early national coverage by monsoon this year?
The southwest monsoon covered the entire country on June 29, nine days ahead of its normal schedule of July 8. Since 1960, this was only the tenth occasion when the monsoon completed the national coverage in June. What led to the monsoon's rapid progress? This year, the monsoon onset was early as well. It arrived in Kerala on May 24, eight days before the usual date schedule of June 1. This happened due to a range of different reasons including the active phase of the Madden-Julian Oscillation (MJO) — a moving system of wind, cloud and pressure that brings rain as it circles around the equator — in mid-May. After the onset, the monsoon progress largely remained ahead of its normal schedule over south peninsular, east and northeast India, and near normal over the northwest. However, it was slightly delayed over the central India region. According to the India Meteorological Department, the monsoon's rapid progress was driven by: LOW PRESSURE SYSTEMS: India witnessed the development of five low pressure systems over different regions in June. These systems are essentially areas where the atmospheric pressure is lower than the surrounding regions. Given that winds travel from high pressure to low pressure areas, these systems act like a magnet, pulling in moisture-laden winds, helping trigger rainfall, and pushing the monsoon inland. ACTIVE PHASE OF MJO: Like in May, June also witnessed an active phase of the MJO. In this phase, the MJO brings more clouds to south of India, which are then carried northwards by the monsoon winds, leading to enhanced rainfall. MONSOON TROUGH'S POSITION: A monsoon trough is an elongated low pressure area stretching from northwest India to the Bay of Bengal, whose position affects the monsoon conditions over the country. In June, as it remained largely to the south of its normal, it drew moisture-laden air, bringing in the monsoon early over the entire country. NEUTRAL PHASE OF ENSO & IOD: The southwest monsoon is affected by two other factors, El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) and Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD). ENSO — a climate phenomenon characterised by changes in sea temperatures along the central and eastern tropical Pacific Ocean, accompanied by fluctuations in the atmosphere overhead — has three phases, El Niño, La Niña, and neutral. While El Niño suppresses monsoon, La Niña and neutral lead to stronger and normal rainfall respectively. In June, ENSO was in the neutral phase. IOD, which is the difference in sea surface temperatures (SSTs) between the eastern and western regions of the Indian Ocean, also has three phases, positive, negative, and neutral. While a positive IOD leads to more rainfall, a negative phase results in less rainfall. A neutral IOD has minimal impact. In June, IOD was in a neutral phase. How was the rainfall performance in June? In June, the all-India average rainfall stood at 180 mm, which was quantitatively 9% above normal, according to the IMD. This year, the deficit rainfall trend observed during June since 2022 was discontinued. Over central India, June's average rainfall was 24.8% above normal — a trend which was seen for the first time since 2022. The region received 212.6 mm of rainfall. However, east and northeast India continued to suffer a rainfall deficiency for the third consecutive year. It recorded 272.9 mm of rainfall, which was 16.9% below normal. No significant rainfall trend was observed over the peninsular and northwest India regions for June. State-wise rainfall figures suggested that, for the first time since 2019 and 2020, Manipur (242.7 mm) and Mizoram (466.9 mm) respectively recorded normal rainfall this June. However, the month ended with below normal rainfall across Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Meghalaya, Sikkim, Bihar, Delhi, Chhattisgarh, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and Lakshadweep. More than 80% of meteorological subdivisions received normal or above normal rainfall in June, including those which were significant for kharif sowing.
News18
12-06-2025
- News18
Monsoon Arrived 8 Days Early In Kerala, Why Has It Progressed So Slow Since Then?
Last Updated: By early June, the monsoon's pace slackened. Rainfall eased in most southern and northeastern parts of the country. Even flood-affected areas in the Northeast began to dry up. The southwest monsoon, a lifeline for agriculture and water needs, arrived with a bang but has since entered a puzzling pause. When it reached Kerala on May 24, eight days ahead of schedule, it sparked widespread celebration across the country. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) called it the earliest onset since 2009. Hopes soared as rain lashed southern parts of the country. But now, deep into the second week of June, the monsoon's momentum has mysteriously stalled, leaving much of the country grappling with heat and uncertainty. The monsoon's early entry wasn't just confined to Kerala. It simultaneously swept into Lakshadweep, Mahe, southern Karnataka, parts of Tamil Nadu, and Mizoram, an unusually widespread onset that delighted meteorologists and farmers alike. The last week of May saw intense rainfall in Kerala, with red alerts issued in multiple districts due to flooding and landslides. But by early June, the monsoon's pace slackened. Rainfall eased in most southern and northeastern parts of the country. Even flood-affected areas in the Northeast began to dry up. According to private forecaster Skymet, the monsoon's advancement has hit a temporary wall, particularly in northeastern states. Meteorologists attribute the sluggish progress to a mix of global atmospheric and oceanic shifts. The early burst was helped by favourable conditions like the active phase of the Madden-Julian Oscillation (MJO), a moving pulse of cloud and rainfall over the tropics, and a neutral Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD). The absence of El Nino, a phenomenon that typically suppresses monsoon rains, also worked in the country's favour. But June brought a shift. The MJO lost steam, weakening the systems that propel the monsoon northward. In addition, the seasonal low-pressure area that usually drives the monsoon's inland advance remains south of its expected position, restricting rain to southern coastal regions. Despite the slowdown, the IMD has issued a new round of forecasts that may bring hope. Between June 11 and 17, heavy to very heavy rainfall is expected to return to Kerala and Lakshadweep. Wind speeds may reach 60 km/h, and isolated areas could see extreme rain from June 14 to 17. However, the monsoon remains sluggish over Maharashtra, Goa, and much of the Northeast. The early-season flooding in Kerala is giving way to heat and humidity, a pattern mirrored in several parts of the country. Will Monsoon Regain Momentum? The IMD remains optimistic about the broader monsoon season. It has projected overall rainfall at 105% of the long-period average, an encouraging sign for agriculture and the economy. Yet, weather experts caution that early onset does not guarantee a successful or well-distributed monsoon. In 2009, the monsoon had also arrived early, on May 23, but June that year saw a severe 48% rainfall deficit, and August followed with a 27% shortfall. The memory of that anomaly is prompting meteorologists to urge caution amid early excitement. First Published: June 12, 2025, 14:25 IST
New Indian Express
05-06-2025
- New Indian Express
CWRDM proposes immediate steps to face monsoon crisis in Kerala
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: With the southwest monsoon arriving earlier than usual and bringing unusually heavy rain, the Centre for Water Resources Development and Management (CWRDM) has issued urgent recommendations to tackle potential flooding and landslides in Kerala. The state witnessed one of its earliest monsoon onsets in recent years. According to CWRDM, this year's pattern—marked by intense rainfall in short bursts followed by dry spells—highlights the growing need for improved disaster preparedness and smarter water management. In just one week, from May 24 to 31, Kozhikode recorded 620 mm of rainfall—nearly 28% of the region's average monsoon total. Daily rainfall during this period crossed 60 mm, sparking fears of flash floods, waterlogging, and landslides, especially in hilly regions. 'Traditionally, Kerala's monsoon sets in around June 1. But since 1970, nearly half of the monsoons have begun in late May,' said CWRDM executive director Manoj P Samuel. 'This year's early onset is among the earliest ever—second only to May 18, 1990,' he said. Experts link this shift to warming sea surface temperatures in the Arabian Sea, stronger cross-equatorial winds, and global atmospheric changes such as the Madden-Julian Oscillation.
