The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has indicated that the southwest monsoon is likely to set in over the Andaman Sea and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands by the end of this week. A low-pressure area in the southwest Bay of Bengal is expected to strengthen in the coming days, facilitating this onset. Historically, the monsoon reaches the Andaman Islands around May 20, before advancing towards mainland India, where Kerala typically sees the onset by June 1. However, the IMD has also warned that India may experience below-normal rainfall during this monsoon season, with an expected total of 80 cm of rainfall compared to the long-period average of 87 cm. This reduction in rainfall could be attributed to the development of El Nino conditions, which are known to disrupt typical weather patterns, leading to reduced precipitation in the region. The IMD noted that these El Nino-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) conditions are evolving and could further influence the monsoon's behavior this year.