Southwest monsoon exits India; northeast monsoon rains begin over the south, IMD says
Representative image: Brigipix / Pixabay
IMD said on October 15, 2026 the southwest monsoon had withdrawn from all of India and northeast monsoon rain had begun over Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh and south Karnataka.
What Happened
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) said on Thursday, October 15, 2026 that the southwest monsoon had withdrawn from the entire country and that northeast monsoon rainfall had begun the same day over Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and Karaikal, coastal Andhra Pradesh, Rayalaseema, south interior Karnataka, and Kerala and Mahe. The weather office expects a wet spell with isolated heavy falls over many parts of south peninsular India until October 21, with isolated very heavy rain over Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and Karaikal on October 15 and 16. Earlier this month, IMD had forecast a normal northeast monsoon season for Tamil Nadu,.
Key Facts
- The southwest monsoon withdrew from the whole of India on October 15, 2026, according to IMD.
- Northeast monsoon rain began on October 15 over Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and Karaikal, coastal Andhra Pradesh, Rayalaseema, south interior Karnataka, and Kerala and Mahe.
- IMD expects a wet spell with isolated heavy rain over many parts of south peninsular India until October 21.
- Isolated very heavy rain was forecast over Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and Karaikal on October 15 and 16, and isolated heavy rain from October 17 to 21.
- On October 1, IMD had said the onset would come between October 15 and 21, with normal to above-normal rain in southern and coastal areas.
- Tamil Nadu averages about 44 cm of rain in the northeast monsoon season; it had a 20% shortfall in the southwest monsoon this year, according to reports.
- Reports differ on whether the southwest monsoon's exit was on time or a day late.
Why It Matters
For farmers in Tamil Nadu and the southern coast, the northeast monsoon is a key rainy season. Its timing and strength affect water for crops, the filling of reservoirs and tanks, and groundwater. Coming after a 20% shortfall in the southwest monsoon in the state, a normal or better northeast monsoon would ease worries about water for the rabi season.
The heavy rain forecast has two sides. Good rain is welcome for sowing and storage, but very heavy spells over a few days can flood low-lying fields, damage standing crops ready for harvest, and disrupt movement of produce to markets. Farmers with mature crops will want to harvest and store them quickly, while those preparing fields for the next crop can benefit from the moisture.
The end of the southwest monsoon across the country also marks the shift to the rabi season in north and central India. With monsoon rain gone from those regions, farmers there will rely on soil moisture, irrigation and reservoir levels for winter sowing.
| Date (2026) | IMD update |
|---|---|
| October 1 | Northeast monsoon onset expected between October 15 and 21 |
| October 15 | Southwest monsoon withdraws from entire country; northeast monsoon rain begins |
| October 15-16 | Isolated very heavy rain forecast over Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, Karaikal |
| October 17-21 | Wet spell with isolated heavy rain over south peninsula |
Impact
Short-term: Heavy rain over the next week may disrupt harvesting and transport in parts of Tamil Nadu and Kerala, and local authorities may issue alerts. Reservoirs and tanks should start to fill.
Long-term: A normal northeast monsoon would support winter crops in the south, improve drinking water supplies, and help offset the southwest monsoon shortfall.
Who is affected: Farmers in Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, Kerala, coastal Andhra Pradesh and south Karnataka; rural traders and mandis; city residents who face waterlogging; and water utilities managing reservoirs.
Key Takeaway
With the southwest monsoon gone from India and northeast monsoon rain under way in the south from October 15, 2026, Tamil Nadu's farmers get the season's main rains, along with a risk of heavy downpours through October 21.
Questions and Answers
When did the northeast monsoon start in 2026?
IMD said northeast monsoon rainfall began on October 15, 2026 over Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and Karaikal, coastal Andhra Pradesh, Rayalaseema, south interior Karnataka, and Kerala and Mahe.
Has the southwest monsoon ended?
Yes. IMD said the southwest monsoon withdrew from the entire country on October 15, 2026.
Is heavy rain expected in Tamil Nadu?
IMD forecast isolated very heavy rain over Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and Karaikal on October 15 and 16, and isolated heavy rain from October 17 to 21.
Why does the northeast monsoon matter for farmers?
It supplies water for crops, fills reservoirs and recharges groundwater in Tamil Nadu and nearby areas, which matters more this year after a 20% shortfall in the southwest monsoon in the state.
Disclaimer: Prepared by the Peepals newsroom from publicly available sources with AI assistance. Information is accurate to the best of our knowledge at the time of publication and may change. Images may be representative. Not professional advice. Report an error via our contact page.
Sourced and fact-checked by the Peepals Global Editorial Team
Reported, fact-checked and published by the Peepals Global Editorial Team.
