Asia's Monsoon Arrives: Kerala Flooded, Thailand Warned

The crucial monsoon season has commenced across parts of Asia, bringing essential rainfall vital for the region's economy and agriculture. India officially declared the onset of its monsoon in Kerala on June 4, three days later than usual. This region has since experienced intense rainfall, with some stations recording up to 280mm in just 72 hours between June 4 and June 7. Neighboring areas are under red warnings for extreme weather events, including flash floods and landslides.

Further east, Thailand's monsoon season began on May 15. Its southwestern regions have already received up to 1,000mm of rain, with an additional 300mm expected this week. The Thai meteorological department has cautioned about strong monsoon winds potentially generating large waves, advising small vessels to stay ashore. Despite these heavy initial downpours, the overall monsoon season for India is projected to be below normal, with rainfall totals expected around 90% of the long-period average.