The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has announced that the southwest monsoon has advanced into parts of the southwest and southeast Arabian Sea, as well as the Bay of Bengal, although it missed its anticipated onset date of May 26 in Kerala. The IMD had estimated a four-day error for this prediction. Typically, the monsoon sets in over Kerala around June 1, marking the start of the monsoon season that lasts from June to September. Last year, the monsoon arrived earlier on May 24. In a statement, the IMD indicated that conditions are favorable for further advancement of the southwest monsoon into additional areas of the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal within the next two to three days. The monsoon is critical to India, as it provides over 70% of the country's annual rainfall, which is essential for agriculture, drinking water supply, hydroelectric power generation, and groundwater replenishment.