Southwest monsoon advances into parts of Arabian Sea, Bay of Bengal, Andaman and Nicobar: IMD

Vartha Bharati | 16-05-2026 | 16:00:00 IST

Image Credit: X/@Indiametdept

New Delhi (PTI): The southwest monsoon has advanced into parts of the southeast Arabian Sea, southwest and southeast Bay of Bengal, the Andaman Sea, the entire Nicobar Islands and parts of the Andaman Islands, including Sri Vijaya Puram, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said on Saturday.

It also stated that conditions are favourable for the monsoon to advance further into some more parts of the southeast Arabian Sea, southwest and southeast Bay of Bengal during the next three-four days.

The remaining parts of the Andaman Islands and Andaman Sea, along with some parts of eastcentral Bay of Bengal, may also witness the onset of the monsoon during this period.

"All the criteria are satisfied for the advance of southwest monsoon over the region," the IMD said.

The department on Friday said that the southwest monsoon is expected to set in early over Kerala on May 26.

Kerala usually sees the onset of the monsoon on June 1, which marks the beginning of the southwest monsoon season (June to September).

Earlier, the IMD stated that India might witness below-normal rainfall this year during the monsoon season.

This could be due to the emergence of El Nino conditions during the season, which cause less rainfall in the country.

🌧️ केरल में दक्षिण-पश्चिम मानसून 2026 अपडेट ☔

भारत मौसम विज्ञान विभाग (IMD) के अनुसार, वर्ष 2026 में दक्षिण-पश्चिम मानसून केरल में लगभग 26 मई 2026 को शुरू होने की संभावना है (±4 दिन)।

पिछले 21 वर्षों में IMD का मानसून आगमन पूर्वानुमान काफी सटीक साबित हुआ है।

🌴 मानसून की… pic.twitter.com/vM3C7riXyD

— India Meteorological Department (@Indiametdept) May 15, 2026

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Heavy showers in Hassan: Temple priest dies on spot as lightning strikes

16-05-2026 ¦ 16-05-2026 IST

Hassan: A temple priest in Channangihalli of Kattaya hobli was struck dead by lightning in the heavy showers that lashed the district on Friday evening.

A case has been registered by Gorur Police officers.

The priest, identified as Ranganath, who was also a farmer, had reportedly gone to fetch home his cattle that were in his field when lightning struck him, killing him on the spot.

The authorities have asked the people of the district, including farmers, to take precautions during thunderstorms.