The India Meteorological Department, IMD, has forecast that Southwest Monsoon will hit Kerala on 6th June, five days after its normal onset date. This marks the start of a rainy season over the region wherefrom it progresses northward.
The IMD said conditions are becoming favourable for the advance of southwest monsoon over the southern part of Andaman Sea, Nicobar Islands and adjoining the southeast Bay of Bengal during May 18-19.
Our correspondent reports, the IMD has been issuing operational forecasts for the date of monsoon onset over Kerala from 2005 onwards.
IMD had forecast a normal monsoon. Secretary, Ministry of Earth Sciences Dr M Rajeevan said last month, that monsoon seasonal rainfall from June to September is likely to be 96 per cent of the long period average, LPA.
He said the country is expected to have well-distributed rainfall scenario to have well distributed seasonal rainfall which will be beneficial to farmers during the ensuing Kharif season.
