IMD Forecasts Southwest Monsoon Onset Over Kerala on May 26, Earlier Than Usual
19 minutes agoGeneric
29LENS
14 SourcesKerala, India
TBNthebalanced.news

IMD Forecasts Southwest Monsoon Onset Over Kerala on May 26, Earlier Than Usual

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecasts the southwest monsoon will likely set in over Kerala on May 26, about six days earlier than the usual June 1 onset, with a margin of error of plus or minus four days. This early arrival follows recent years of early monsoons and marks the start of the rainy season across India. The IMD uses a statistical model based on six atmospheric indicators to predict onset. Despite early arrival, the monsoon season is expected to bring below-normal rainfall, influenced by emerging El Nino conditions.

Political Bias
0%100%0%
Sentiment
58%
AI analysis of 14 sources · Published under editorial oversight by The Balanced News
Analysed 15 May 2026· How this analysis is produced· Editorial standards· Corrections

AI Analysis

Political bias across 14 sources
● Left 0%● Center 100%● Right 0%

The article group primarily presents official forecasts from the India Meteorological Department without political commentary. Coverage focuses on scientific data and meteorological predictions, with no evident partisan framing. The sources uniformly report the forecast and its implications, reflecting a consensus view without political dispute or critique.

Sentiment — Neutral (58/100)

The overall tone across the articles is neutral and informative, emphasizing factual weather forecasts and their significance. While the early monsoon arrival is noted as potentially beneficial for relief from heatwaves, the mention of below-normal rainfall and El Nino conditions introduces a cautious note. The sentiment balances hopeful anticipation with prudent awareness of possible challenges.

How 14 sources covered this story

Each source's own headline, political lean, and sentiment — so you can see framing differences at a glance.

SourceTheir headlineBiasSentiment
indianexpressSouthwest monsoon over Kerala likely on May 26, says IMDCenterNeutral
ndtvSouthwest Monsoon Likely To Arrive In Kerala On May 26: Weather OfficeCenterNeutral
timesnowMonsoon To Reach Kerala Early On May 26, Says IMD As El Nino Shadow LoomsCenterNeutral
englishSouthwest Monsoon Could Arrive Early In Kerala This Year, Says IMD; May 26 Onset LikelyCenterNeutral
oneindiaIMD Monsoon Forecast 2026: Southwest Monsoon Likely To Reach India Early, Kerala Onset Expected On 26 MayCenterPositive
theprintSouthwest monsoon likely to set in over Kerala on May 26: IMDCenterNeutral
news18Southwest monsoon likely to set in over Kerala on May 26: IMDCenterNeutral
news18Monsoon Set To Arrive Early This Year Too, May Hit Kerala Coast On May 26, Forecasts IMDCenterNeutral
thehinduSouthwest monsoon likely to set in over Kerala on May 26: IMDCenterNeutral
thetribuneSouthwest monsoon likely to set in over Kerala on May 26: IMD - The TribuneCenterNeutral
economictimesSouthwest monsoon likely to set in over Kerala on May 26: IMDCenterNeutral
businessstandardMonsoon likely to hit Kerala by May 26; heatwave to prevail over northCenterNeutral
indiatodayRain coming: Southwest monsoon to enter India, hit Kerala on May 27CenterNeutral
hindustantimesMonsoon to arrive in Kerala on May 26: IMDCenterNeutral

Coverage timeline

hindustantimes broke this story on 15 May, 08:42 am. Other outlets followed.

  1. 1
    hindustantimes15 May, 08:42 am
    Monsoon to arrive in Kerala on May 26: IMD
  2. 2
    indiatoday15 May, 08:59 am
    Rain coming: Southwest monsoon to enter India, hit Kerala on May 27
  3. 3
    businessstandard15 May, 09:10 am
    Monsoon likely to hit Kerala by May 26; heatwave to prevail over north
  4. 4
    economictimes15 May, 09:10 am
    Southwest monsoon likely to set in over Kerala on May 26: IMD
  5. 5
    thetribune15 May, 09:12 am
    Southwest monsoon likely to set in over Kerala on May 26: IMD - The Tribune
  6. 6
    thehindu15 May, 09:13 am
    Southwest monsoon likely to set in over Kerala on May 26: IMD
  7. 7
    news1815 May, 09:16 am
    Monsoon Set To Arrive Early This Year Too, May Hit Kerala Coast On May 26, Forecasts IMD
  8. 8
    news1815 May, 09:16 am
    Southwest monsoon likely to set in over Kerala on May 26: IMD
  9. 9
    theprint15 May, 09:21 am
    Southwest monsoon likely to set in over Kerala on May 26: IMD
  10. 10
    oneindia15 May, 09:39 am
    IMD Monsoon Forecast 2026: Southwest Monsoon Likely To Reach India Early, Kerala Onset Expected On 26 May

Lens Score breakdown

29/100
Public interest0/100
Coverage gap90%

Well-covered story — coverage matches public importance.

Who's involved

Institutions and figures named across source coverage.

Government
India Meteorological Department

Story context

Category
Generic
Location
Kerala, India
Sources analysed
14
Last analysed
15 May 2026
Key entities
MonsoonKeralaIndia Meteorological DepartmentIndiaAgricultureAndaman and Nicobar IslandsAndaman SeaBay of BengalSouth IndiaEl NiñoIndian OceanPacific Ocean