Unprecedented Early Monsoon Hits Mumbai
NEW DELHI: Mumbai experienced a dramatic start to the monsoon season on Monday, May 26, 2025, as the southwest monsoon arrived two weeks ahead of its typical schedule. The city, accustomed to the monsoon setting in around June 11, was caught off guard by this early onset, marking it as the earliest arrival since the India Meteorological Department (IMD) began keeping records in 1950. Previously, the earliest monsoon onset in Mumbai was recorded on May 29 in the years 1956, 1962, and 1971. This year’s arrival has not only broken historical records but also brought significant disruptions to daily life in the city.
City Grapples with Waterlogging and Traffic Chaos
The early monsoon brought heavy rainfall, leading to widespread waterlogging across several areas of Mumbai. The intense downpour slowed down traffic and disrupted train services, leaving commuters stranded during peak hours. The unexpected weather event exposed the city’s ongoing challenges with monsoon preparedness, as residents faced difficulties navigating flooded streets and delayed public transport. The IMD has forecasted above-normal rainfall for Mumbai this season, raising concerns about further impacts on the city’s infrastructure and daily operations.
Factors Behind the Early Monsoon Arrival
According to weather experts, several atmospheric conditions contributed to the monsoon’s early arrival in Mumbai. The southwest monsoon advanced rapidly after hitting Kerala on May 24, 2025, due to favorable wind patterns and neutral phases of climate phenomena like El Niño and the Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD). Additionally, a depression over Madhya Maharashtra, which later weakened into a low-pressure area, played a key role in accelerating the monsoon’s progression across the state. This unusual May weather, characterized by pre-monsoon showers since early in the month, has made 2025 a record-breaking year for Mumbai’s monsoon history.