The India Meteorological Department (IMD) announced that the southwest monsoon is likely to commence over parts of the south Bay of Bengal, Andaman Sea, and Andaman & Nicobar Islands towards the end of this week. Conditions are becoming favorable for this onset, with a low-pressure area currently present in the region. Officials are also preparing to issue a forecast for Kerala's monsoon onset around May 15, with the normal date being June 1. This year's monsoon is particularly significant due to expected El Niño conditions, which are associated with a harsher summer and weaker monsoon, potentially leading to rainfall below the normal level of 87 cm. Recent data indicates that ocean temperatures are at their highest since 2024, raising concerns about climate impacts. The IMD has also launched two advanced weather forecasting products, including an AI-driven system to enhance weather prediction accuracy across India.