Kerala, India

Monsoon winds have hit the south Indian state of Kerala on Thursday (May 30), two days ahead of the normal rain arrival. The monsoon also reached northeast India six days in advance on the same day.

Advertisment

Earlier, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) had said on Wednesday that conditions were extremely favourable for the onset of monsoon season.

 "Normal date (for the arrival of Monsoon in the northeast) was 5th June, but it arrived today. In Kerala, it was supposed to be on 1st June, but it arrived here on 30th May. The reason for this is that wind patterns were already established..." said IMD scientist, Dr Naresh Kumar.

Earlier on May 28, the rainy winds reached the South Arabian Sea and the Maldives region.

Advertisment

"The favourable conditions are expected to continue, facilitating further advancement of the Southwest Monsoon into more areas of the South Arabian Sea, the remaining parts of the Maldives and Comorin region, some parts of the Lakshadweep area, Kerala, additional areas of the Southwest and Central Bay of Bengal, the Northeast Bay of Bengal, and parts of the Northeastern states over the next three or four days," the IMD said.

Kerala welcomes heavy rains

Kerala was battered by heavy rains on Tuesday (May 28) as pre-monsoon showers disrupted normal life. Streets were inundated in several towns of the state, making it difficult for people to step outside. Severe water-logging was observed in the Kakkanad-Infopark and Aluva-Edappally areas. Heavy rains have been continuing in the Thiruvananthapuram district since Monday night.

Advertisment

Currently, a cyclonic circulation in the middle tropospheric levels is located over south Tamil Nadu and its surrounding areas. This may lead to widespread light to moderate rainfall along with thunderstorms, lightning, and gusty winds (30-40 kmph) over Kerala, Mahe, Lakshadweep, and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

Scattered light to moderate rainfall is also predicted in states like Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, Karaikal, Coastal Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Rayalaseema, and Karnataka over the next seven days. 

Above-normal rainfall expected

According to the IMD, above-normal rainfall is expected this monsoon season, lasting from June to September. The seasonal rainfall across the country is predicted to be 106 per cent of the long-period average (LPA).

Also read: India weather update: Relief from heatwave likely before raging June heat; monsoon expected over Kerala soon

However, below-normal to normal rainfall is predicted in numerous places in the northern half of Northwest India, Northeast India, the eastern part of Central India, and the surrounding territories of East India.

(With inputs from agencies)