Tue May 13 17:05:29 UTC 2025: Okay, here’s a summary and rewritten news article based on the provided text:

**Summary:**

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) announced on May 13, 2025, that the southwest monsoon has advanced into parts of the Bay of Bengal and Andaman Sea. While this marks the monsoon’s initial progress, the IMD hasn’t yet predicted the arrival date for Kerala. Meteorologists caution that an early arrival in the Andaman Sea doesn’t guarantee an early arrival in Kerala. The IMD is expected to announce an official date later this month, and uses a custom forecast model for this purpose. The normal onset date of the monsoon over Kerala is June 1. The IMD also reiterated its earlier forecast of “above normal” monsoon rainfall for India this year. Rainfall accompanied by thunderstorms and lightning will likely continue over south peninsular India and adjoining central India for the next five days, with heavy rainfall also expected over Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu this week. Heavy to very heavy rainfall accompanied by thunderstorms and lightning is likely over northeast India during the next five days.
**News Article:**

**Southwest Monsoon Advances into Bay of Bengal, Andaman Sea; “Above Normal” Rainfall Predicted**

**NEW DELHI, May 13, 2025** – The India Meteorological Department (IMD) announced today that the southwest monsoon has officially advanced into parts of the south Bay of Bengal, the south Andaman Sea, the Nicobar Islands, and portions of the north Andaman Sea. This marks the initial stages of the vital weather system’s progress towards the Indian mainland.

While this advance is a significant step, the IMD has yet to announce the predicted onset date for the monsoon over Kerala, a key indicator of its arrival on the Indian subcontinent. An official date is expected later this month, determined using the agency’s custom forecast model. The normal onset date of the monsoon over Kerala is June 1.

“An early arrival in the Andaman Sea does not necessarily translate to an early arrival in Kerala,” cautioned meteorologists. The monsoon system typically takes about 10 days to reach mainland India from this region.

The IMD reiterated its previously issued forecast of “above normal” monsoon rainfall for India this year, defined as 5% more than the historical average of 87 cm. If this prediction holds true, it will be the second consecutive year of above-average rainfall, following last year’s 8% surplus.

The IMD has issued warnings for heavy rainfall in the coming days. “Rainfall accompanied by thunderstorms and lightning will likely continue over south peninsular India and adjoining central India for the next five days, with heavy rainfall also expected over Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu this week. Heavy to very heavy rainfall accompanied by thunderstorms and lightning is likely over northeast India during the next five days,” the IMD said in a statement on Tuesday.

The arrival of the monsoon is critical for India’s agriculture sector and overall economy, influencing crop yields, water availability, and more.

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