New Delhi: The southwest monsoon could make an earlier-than-usual advance into parts of the Andaman Sea and adjoining Bay of Bengal region, with the India Meteorological Department indicating that atmospheric conditions are turning favourable for its onset around May 16.
According to weather officials, moisture levels and wind patterns are gradually strengthening over the southern Bay of Bengal and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, creating the right environment for the seasonal rains to begin their northward journey.
The development has raised expectations of an active start to the monsoon cycle this year. While the monsoon typically reaches Kerala around June 1, its arrival over the Andaman Sea often acts as the first major indicator of overall progression across the subcontinent.
Meteorologists noted that the timeline for the Andaman region does not directly determine the exact date of monsoon onset over mainland India, as several atmospheric factors influence its pace and spread after initial formation.
Last year, the monsoon reached the Andaman Sea region on May 13, slightly ahead of the expected schedule, and weather experts are closely tracking whether a similar pattern may emerge this season.
Meanwhile, northwestern parts of the country are expected to experience changing weather conditions due to a fresh western disturbance likely to become active from May 15. Several areas across Punjab, Haryana and Chandigarh may continue to receive light to moderate rainfall until May 14, offering temporary relief from rising temperatures.
Weather authorities said continuous monitoring is underway, and any significant shift in monsoon activity or regional rainfall forecasts will be updated through official advisories in the coming days.
