Kerala monsoon 2025: IMD warns of heavy rain, strong winds till Sunday
Synopsis
The southwest monsoon is days away from making landfall in Kerala, and the IMD is already flagging heavy rain, lightning and winds up to 40 kmph until Sunday. With no district-level alerts issued yet but the State Disaster Management Authority on high alert, the window between 'watch' and 'warning' is narrowing fast for all 14 districts.
Key Takeaways
The IMD has warned of heavy rain, thunderstorms and gusty winds of 30–40 kmph across Kerala until Sunday .
Strengthening westerly winds over the Arabian Sea signal the imminent arrival of the southwest monsoon , locally called 'Edavappathi' .
No district-specific alert has been issued in the IMD's five-day forecast, but the State Disaster Management Authority has urged public vigilance.
Residents in hilly, coastal, landslide-prone areas have been advised to stay alert and avoid night travel.
Fishermen have been warned against venturing to sea without checking official advisories.
The state government has activated round-the-clock control rooms in all districts and cleared drainage systems.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a warning of intensified rainfall activity across Kerala until Sunday, as the southwest monsoon prepares to make landfall over the state in the coming days. The forecast includes thunderstorms, lightning, and gusty winds reaching speeds of 30 to 40 kmph at isolated locations.
Monsoon Arrival Signals Strengthen
Meteorologists say satellite imagery shows strengthening westerly winds over the Arabian Sea — a key precursor to the monsoon's onset, traditionally known in Kerala as 'Edavappathi'. The atmosphere over the state is expected to remain heavily overcast over the next several days, with intermittent rain likely across all 14 districts.
Notably, while no district-specific alert has been included in the IMD's official five-day forecast, weather officials have cautioned that sudden cloud formation and intense rain spells could trigger localised damage, particularly in vulnerable terrain.
Safety Advisories for Residents
The State Disaster Management Authority has urged the public to remain on guard even in the absence of formal district-level alerts. Residents have been advised to take shelter in sturdy buildings at the first sign of lightning, avoid standing under trees or in open spaces during thunderstorms, and keep doors and windows shut during intense electrical activity.
Authorities have also recommended that households disconnect electrical appliances during heavy lightning spells. Afternoon thunderstorms are expected to grow more intense as the monsoon draws closer.
High-Risk Zones on Alert
District administrations have specifically asked residents of hilly and coastal areas to remain vigilant, as rainfall is forecast to strengthen further once the monsoon officially sets in. People living in landslide- and erosion-prone zones have been advised to avoid unnecessary travel at night.
Fishermen have been warned to strictly adhere to official sea-safety advisories before venturing out, given the likelihood of rough seas and high waves along the Kerala coast.
Government Preparedness Measures
The Kerala state government has stepped up pre-monsoon preparedness, including clearing and cleaning drainage systems and activating round-the-clock control rooms in all districts. Officials stressed that even without formal red or orange alerts, the current atmospheric conditions warrant heightened caution.
With the monsoon's arrival imminent, authorities are expected to issue more granular district-level advisories in the days ahead.
Point of View
Which bore the brunt of catastrophic floods in 2018 and 2019, has since invested in early-warning infrastructure, but the absence of granular alerts can still breed complacency at the local level. The real risk this pre-monsoon window is not the monsoon itself but the transitional storms — sudden, intense, and poorly tracked — that arrive just before it. Authorities would do well to close the messaging gap between 'no alert issued' and 'remain on guard.'
NationPress
13 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the southwest monsoon expected to arrive in Kerala in 2025?
The southwest monsoon is expected to arrive over Kerala within the coming days from 28 May 2025, according to the IMD. Strengthening westerly winds over the Arabian Sea have been identified as a key indicator of its imminent onset.
What weather conditions has the IMD forecast for Kerala till Sunday?
The IMD has forecast isolated heavy rain, thunderstorms, lightning and gusty winds reaching 30 to 40 kmph across Kerala until Sunday. Afternoon thunderstorms are expected to intensify as the monsoon draws closer.
Has the IMD issued a red or orange alert for any Kerala district?
No district-specific alert has been included in the IMD's official five-day forecast as of 28 May 2025. However, the State Disaster Management Authority has urged residents not to lower their guard, warning that sudden thunderstorms can still cause dangerous situations.
Who is most at risk during the pre-monsoon period in Kerala?
Residents of hilly and coastal areas, people living in landslide- and erosion-prone zones, and fishermen are considered most at risk. Authorities have advised these groups to stay alert, avoid unnecessary night travel and follow official sea-safety advisories before venturing out.
What precautions should Kerala residents take during thunderstorms?
Residents should move into sturdy buildings at the first sign of lightning, avoid standing under trees or in open areas, disconnect electrical appliances, and keep doors and windows shut during intense lightning activity, according to the State Disaster Management Authority.
