{"id":39564,"date":"2026-05-13T16:43:38","date_gmt":"2026-05-13T11:13:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.stayvista.com\/blog\/?p=39564"},"modified":"2026-05-13T16:49:46","modified_gmt":"2026-05-13T11:19:46","slug":"first-monsoon-rain-india-2026","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.stayvista.com\/blog\/first-monsoon-rain-india-2026\/","title":{"rendered":"First Monsoon Rain in India 2026: Kerala Onset Tracker + 6 Best Spots"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The first monsoon shower in India never arrives quietly. By the third week of May, the wind shifts over the Andaman Sea, the air thickens over Kerala, and somewhere between Trivandrum and Trichy, the sky cracks open for the first time in eight months. This year, the India Meteorological Department has forecast the southwest monsoon to reach the Andaman Islands by May 20 and Kerala by May 27<\/a> \u2014 a near-normal onset window. This guide tracks the 2026 onset state by state, decodes what IMD’s 92% rainfall forecast actually means for your trip, and rounds up the six best places to experience the first showers \u2014 with the StayVista villas we’d book at each.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The 2026 southwest monsoon will reach the Andaman & Nicobar Islands by May 20<\/strong> and Kerala by May 27 (\u00b14 days)<\/strong>, per IMD’s April 2026 forecast<\/a>. Seasonal rainfall is forecast at 92% of long-period average<\/strong> \u2014 below normal but not deficient. The six best spots to experience the first showers, in arrival order: Andaman, Munnar, Wayanad, Coorg, Mahabaleshwar, and Alleppey.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

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In this Blog<\/p>\n<\/span><\/div>\n