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The weatherman has predicted an early onset of south-west monsoon this year but with a rider it is going to be a below average rainfall.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Tuesday the 12th of May 2026 issued a statement that Conditions are becoming favourable for onset of southwest monsoon likely over parts of south Bay of Bengal, Andaman Sea and Andaman & Nicobar Islands towards the end of this week.

“Conditions are becoming favourable for onset of southwest monsoon likely over parts of south Bay of Bengal, Andaman Sea and Andaman and Nicobar Islands towards the end of this week’.

If this happens, it means that this year the south-west monsoon will hit Andamans at least five-to-six days before time.

Normally every year the monsoon strikes the shoreline after crossing the Andamans reason around 22nd  of May before advancing it to state of Kerala.

The normal date for the monsoon onset over Kerala is June 1, and that marks the actual commencement of the four-month season. However, early onset has no links to the monsoon progress or rainfall quantum.

The southwest monsoon is the primary rainy season over India, which receives over 70 per cent of its annual rainfall during the June – September period.

The average seasonal rainfall of the country is about 880mm. The monsoon rainfall is vital for recharge of groundwater and reservoirs, agriculture, power generation and is directly linked to the country’s overall economic output.

On Monday, the Met department had informed of the development of a low pressure area in the southwest region of the Bay of Bengal.

The IMD further said, ” This system prevails over the same region. Over the next 48 hours, it will intensify. In association to this system, there persists a cyclonic circulation over the region.”

Also on Tuesday, the IMD issued a detail weather report for the NCR-Delhi suggesting that people should take precautionary as there is a likelihood of thunderstorms/lightning and gusty winds (speed 30–50 kmph), temporarily reaching 60 kmph during thunderstorms, with dust rising surface winds.

This means, according to IMD, there will be possibilities of breaking of tree branch and uprooting of large avenue trees.

People are advised to keep a watch on the weather for worsening conditions and be ready to move to safer places accordingly, stay indoors, close windows & doors and avoid travel, if possible, take safe shelters; do not take shelter under trees, do not lie on concrete floors and do not lean against concrete walls, unplug electrical/ electronic appliances, immediately get out of water bodies, keep away from all the objects that conduct electricity, stated the IMD.