Sri Vijaya Puram, May 6: The southwest monsoon is likely to reach the Andaman and Nicobar Islands between May 14 and May 20, bringing relief to water-stressed pockets while reviving concerns over waterlogging, ferry disruption and a seasonal slowdown in tourism.
IMD Director General Mrutyunjay Mohapatra has said monsoon rains are expected over the islands during this period, marking the first stage of the system’s advance over Indian territory before it moves towards the mainland.
For the island chain, the onset is critical because freshwater availability is closely tied to rainfall. With limited groundwater reserves and no major river systems, the summer months often strain public supply systems and households. The first sustained spells of rain are expected to replenish ponds, reservoirs and other local water sources.
But the rains also bring familiar civic challenges, particularly waterlogging. It is not yet clear how well prepared the authorities are this year to deal with flooding in vulnerable parts of Sri Vijaya Puram.
In June last year, as the monsoon gathered strength, several parts of the city reported persistent waterlogging. Localities such as School Line, Mohanpura and Gandhi Market saw recurring flooding even during moderate rainfall, disrupting movement, affecting shops and reviving complaints over the city’s drainage capacity.
In School Line, waterlogging was reported at key intersections, creating slushy conditions along pedestrian routes and slowing traffic in an area that houses educational institutions, government offices and residential clusters. In Mohanpura, one of the city’s crowded commercial hubs, narrow lanes and limited outlet capacity caused water to stagnate in front of shops and homes even after rainfall ended. At Gandhi Market, water collected near storefronts and open drains, affecting vendors and reducing footfall during rainy spells.
Residents and experts had pointed to structural issues rather than just heavy rain. Outdated stormwater infrastructure, insufficient drainage capacity, poor gradient slopes, blocked culverts, garbage-choked outlets and silt-laden drains were cited as key reasons for recurring flooding. Even where pre-monsoon desilting was carried out, execution gaps and irregular follow-up limited its effectiveness.
The impact on daily life can be immediate. Office-goers, students, vendors and commuters face delays when roads are flooded, while hidden potholes under muddy water pose risks for two-wheeler riders and pedestrians. Residents in low-lying homes have also reported water seepage and damage to property during prolonged rain.
With extreme weather events becoming more frequent, urban planners have argued that drainage systems need to be redesigned for short, high-intensity bursts of rainfall rather than routine seasonal showers. Proposals have included improving outlet capacity, redesigning flow pathways, installing tide-regulated drainage points and creating retention zones to temporarily hold excess rainwater.
Sea conditions are another concern during the monsoon. Rough seas and strong winds can delay or suspend ferry services, affecting commuters, patients, students, government staff and the movement of essential supplies across the islands.
Tourism, a major local economic activity, also enters a slower phase. Water-based activities such as scuba diving, snorkelling, sea walks, glass-bottom boat rides and island excursions depend on calm seas and clear visibility. During the rainy season, operators often have to work around weather windows, while tourists may need buffer days in their itineraries.
The Andaman and Nicobar Islands are among the first Indian territories to receive the southwest monsoon. Under normal conditions, the system reaches Kerala around June 1 and covers the country by mid-July. The IMD has projected below-normal rainfall for India during the June-September season, at around 92% of the long-period average, with the possibility of El Niño conditions developing later in the monsoon.
