In an unusual melding of ancient traditions and modern science, a team of astrologers at the Indian Institute of Technology, Bengaluru (IIT-B) has issued a forecast for the upcoming 2025 Southwest Monsoon. While astrology is not part of the institute’s formal curriculum, this advisory has captured widespread attention on social media and among farming communities.
Key Forecast Highlights
- Rainfall Onset: Predicted between June 27–29, slightly delayed from the India Meteorological Department’s (IMD) official window of June 20–25.
- Spatial Distribution: Heavier rains expected over Kerala and coastal Karnataka in the second week of July; central India may see below-average precipitation until mid-August.
- Intensity Fluctuations: Three distinct “rain fortnights” forecast—early July, early August, and late August—each with potential for flash floods in vulnerable districts.
“Our planetary alignment analysis indicates a laggard monsoon onset, but compensatory surge during the pre-festival period in August,” says astrologer Dr. R. Srinivasan, who leads the IIT-B team.
Expert Perspectives
Meteorological Context
According to the IMD’s June 1 outlook, the 2025 monsoon is likely to be 102% of the long-period average, with a ±5% error margin . A June 2024 study in Journal of Climate linked anomalous Indian Ocean temperatures to delayed onsets but stronger mid-season bursts .
Scientific Review
- Sea Surface Temperatures (SSTs): Neutral El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO) conditions are in place, typically supporting a near-normal monsoon .
- Western Disturbances: Increased western disturbances in July could disrupt the monsoon trough, aligning with the astrologers’ “wet phase” prediction.
“Astrology cannot replace physics, yet the synchronicity between celestial cycles and atmospheric oscillations remains an intriguing research avenue,” notes Dr. Aisha Khan, climatologist at the National Centre for Medium Range Weather Forecasting (NCMRWF) .
5 Key Takeaways for Farmers & Planners
- Planting Windows: Delay paddy transplantation by 3–5 days if rains don’t arrive by June 30.
- Water Management: Prepare for two peak runoff events; reinforce check dams by mid-July.
- Disaster Preparedness: Municipalities in coastal districts should ready evacuation plans for flash-flood hotspots.
- Crop Diversification: Consider short-duration pulses or oilseeds in rain-deficit tracts.
- Daily Digest: Subscribe to our twice-weekly monsoon bulletin for real-time updates.
What Happens Next?
- June 25–26: Official IMD pre-monsoon showers advisory due.
- June 27–29: Watch for “first-rain” signals across southern tip of India.
- July 1–10: Monitor river levels; expected rapid rise in Wayanad and Chikkamagaluru districts.
Image Suggestions
Consider adding horizontal, high-resolution photos of:
- Rain-laden clouds over Kodagu coffee plantations (source: Pexels)
- A terraced rice field with early monsoon showers (source: Unsplash)
- Satellite imagery of the Bay of Bengal front (source: NASA/Commons)
Fact-Check
| Claim | Verification |
|---|---|
| Astrological methods can predict monsoon rains | No peer-reviewed study supports astrology as a predictive tool for meteorological phenomena; see IMD guidelines. |
| IMD forecast differs from astrologers’ dates | IMD: June 20–25 onset; IIT-B astrologers: June 27–29 . |
