New Delhi: India recorded its wettest May in over a century, with an average nationwide rainfall of 126.7 mm—marking a 106% increase over the Long Period Average (LPA) of 61.4 mm, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD). This makes May 2025 the wettest since record-keeping began in 1901.
The early onset of the southwest monsoon, which arrived over Kerala on May 24—eight days ahead of the usual June 1 date—played a significant role in the heavy rainfall, especially across southern and eastern parts of the country.
In a post on social media platform X, the IMD stated, “The average monthly rainfall for May 2025 over All-India (126.7 mm) and Central India (100.9 mm) was highest since 1901.”
Regional Rainfall Highlights:
South Peninsular India recorded 199.7 mm of rainfall, the second-highest for May since 1901, just behind 201.4 mm in 1990.
Central India received 100.9 mm, a record high for the region.
Northwest India saw 48.1 mm, ranking 13th highest since 1901 and 4th highest since 2001.
East and Northeast India recorded 242.8 mm, the 29th highest since 1901 and the 4th highest since 2001.
Rainfall Distribution:
Out of the country’s 36 meteorological subdivisions:
25 received large excess rainfall
5 received excess rainfall
6 received normal rainfall
Extremely heavy rainfall (more than 204.4 mm) was reported in parts of the West Coast, Assam and Meghalaya, Sub-Himalayan West Bengal and Sikkim, Mizoram, Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and Karaikal, Madhya Maharashtra, and South Interior Karnataka.
Very heavy rainfall (115.6–204.4 mm) affected regions such as Arunachal Pradesh, Bihar, Coastal Andhra Pradesh, East Rajasthan, Delhi, Haryana, Marathwada, Rayalaseema, Saurashtra and Kutch, Vidarbha, and West Madhya Pradesh.
Several other states and territories experienced heavy rainfall (64.5–115.5 mm), including Jharkhand, Odisha, East Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
Impact of Weather Systems:
The IMD observed seven Western Disturbances (WDs) during the month, contributing to widespread rainfall, thunderstorms, and hailstorms, particularly across the Western Himalayan region and plains of northwest and central India.
Temperatures Below Normal:
Unusual for May, the country also experienced below-average temperatures. Nationally:
Average Maximum Temperature: 35.08°C (departure of -1.52°C)
Average Minimum Temperature: 24.07°C (departure of -0.10°C)
Mean Temperature: 29.57°C (departure of -0.81°C)
These figures are based on the 1991–2020 climatological data.
The IMD report underscores an increasingly unpredictable pre-monsoon pattern, with both rainfall and temperature trends deviating significantly from historical averages.
