The onset of Southwest monsoon in Kerala is likely to get delayed and is now expected to hit the coast by June 8. Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) had earlier predicted that the state will receive its first monsoon showers of the year by June 6.
But IMD on Wednesday said that monsoon in Kerala will be delayed by a week than the usual date.
IMD also states that conditions are likely to become favourable for Southwest monsoon to advance in parts of northeastern states in the country during the next three to four days, says Livemint report.
Typically, the Southwest monsoon hits the coast of Kerala by June 1 with a standard deviation of about seven days. This year it was initially predicted to set over Kerala on June 6 with a deviation of four days.
The Southwest monsoon bringing showers to Kerala, marks the beginning of the rainy season for the state. As the monsoon progresses, it moves northward bringing relief to the scorching summer temperatures in northern states of the country. But the present delay will affect the progress and arrival of the monsoon in the northern states by one or two days.
Over the last two years, Southwest monsoon hit the Kerala coast before June, in late May. In 2018, the monsoon hit the coast on May 29, while in 2017, it was May 30.
Meanwhile, the monsoon system has advanced into parts of south Arabian sea, parts of Maldives-Comorin area and southwest parts of Bay of Bengal, reports the Times of India.