As the scorching summer sun blazes across India, everyone waits for a cool, refreshing change the arrival of the monsoon. And guess where the first drops of rain fall? That’s right Kerala, the green and beautiful state often called God’s Own Country.
But have you ever wondered why the monsoon begins in Kerala?
Every year around June, the Southwest Monsoon begins its journey from the Indian Ocean. As the air above the Indian subcontinent heats up, it rises, creating space for cool, moist winds from the Arabian Sea to rush in. These winds are packed with rain clouds, traveling from the southwest and bringing with them the promise of rain.
Why Kerala is the First Stop
Kerala sits right on the southwestern edge of India, making it the first piece of land that these monsoon winds hit. But there’s more to the story.
Along the coast, the Western Ghats a long mountain range stand tall. These mountains force the rain-heavy winds to rise, which makes them cool down and condense, leading to rainfall. That’s why Kerala often gets soaked with early and heavy monsoon showers.
This year monsoon arrived in Kerala earlier than usual, surprising weather experts. Normally, it shows up around June 1, but in 2025, it arrived even sooner the earliest since 2009! That brought early relief to people suffering from the intense summer heat.
Where Does the Rain Go Next?
After Kerala monsoon travels across the country, moving north and east. It usually takes about a month to cover all of India, soaking farmlands, cities, forests, and mountains along the way. These rains are vital for crops, rivers, and water supplies.
Rainy Facts You Should Know
•Wettest Place on Earth: Mawsynram in Meghalaya gets over 11,000 mm of rain each year!
•Driest Place in India: Leh in Ladakh gets less than 100 mm—almost desert-like!
•Kerala’s Showers: In some years, Kerala gets more than 300 cm of rain during the monsoon.
•Two Monsoons in India: The Southwest Monsoon (June–Sept) and the Northeast Monsoon (Oct–Dec), which mainly hits Tamil Nadu.
•Festivals Follow Rain: Indian festivals like Onam, Teej, and Pongal are closely tied to the arrival or end of the monsoon.
•Monsoon Watch: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) tracks the rains, and people follow monsoon updates just like cricket scores!
So the next time you see dark clouds rolling in from the sea and rain dancing on rooftops, remember it all begins with Kerala welcoming the monsoon with open arms!