Hulhangu Monsoon begins ahead of Eid holiday

The Southwest Monsoon, locally known as the Hulhangu Monsoon, has begun for the southern region of Maldives.

The commencement of the rainy season comes as scores of people make travel plans for the upcoming Eid al-Adha holiday.

The Maldives experiences two distinct seasons, the Hulhangu Monsoon, typically running from May to November, and the Northeast Monsoon, locally known as the Iruvai Monsoon, which usually lasts from January to March.

The effects of the Hulhangu Monsoon are initially felt in the southern region during the first or the second week of May, gradually extending to the central regions and eventually covering the entire country by the end of the month.

The Maldives Meteorological Service states that the Hulhangu Monsoon commenced in the southern region on Friday.

08th May 2026 marks the onset of Southwest monsoon over the Maldives. pic.twitter.com/WqXADUbLOc

— Maldives Meteorology (@MetMaldives) May 10, 2026

The weather agency calculates the commencement of the Hulhangu Monsoon based on certain markings, including rainfall and winds, as well as the prevailing synoptic situation.

The Meteorological Service said that since the beginning of May, more than 60 percent of the southern stations have recorded daily rainfall greater than 2.5 millimeters and southwest to westerly wind with speeds greater than 10 knots.

The Hajj Day is expected to fall on May 26, and the three-day Eid al-Adha is set to begin the next day. The holiday, known as the “bodu” or “big” Eid, sees an increase in both international and domestic travel.