Monsoon in Kerala by May 27: IMD

India's southwest monsoon is likely to arrive four days ahead of schedule this year, with onset over Kerala expected around May 27, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) announced on Saturday.

- Jayashree Nandi

NEW DELHI: The forecast comes with a margin of error of ±4 days.

This early arrival signals potential relief for an increasingly heat-stressed nation and holds significant implications for agriculture and the broader economy, particularly in managing inflation concerns amid global economic pressures.

"All conditions are favourable for an early onset. High night-time temperatures over northwest India are a good indicator. Our models are showing early monsoon onset," said M Mohapatra, director general of IMD.

Satellite images already indicate dense cloud cover over the Andaman Sea and around the Kerala region.

"The clouding over the region indicates monsoon onset may happen around May 13 over Andaman Sea, some parts of Bay of Bengal and Nicobar islands," Mohapatra added.