The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted that the Southwest monsoon is expected to reach Kerala by May 31.
A statement by the IMD said: "Southwest monsoon normally sets in over Kerala on June 1 with a standard deviation of about seven days. This year, the southwest monsoon is likely to set in over Kerala on May 31," the IMD said in a release.
The weather phenomenon has reportedly made its onset over the Nicobar Islands, the southernmost region of the country. "Southwest monsoon has advanced into some parts of the Maldives, and the Comorin area and some parts of the South Bay of Bengal, Nicobar Islands and South Andaman Sea on Sunday," the weather office added.
The southern states will, however, receive heavy rainfall in the coming days, with red alerts in place in three Kerala districts. Besides Kerala, isolated heavy to very heavy rainfall is very likely over Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, Karaikal and Mahe for the next three days. The south interior of Karnataka will also receive showers till Tuesday.
A low pressure area is likely to form over Southwest Bay of Bengal around 22nd May, 2024. It is likely to move initially Northeastwards and concentrate into a Depression over Central parts of Bay of Bengal around 24th may, 2024.
— India Meteorological Department (@Indiametdept) May 19, 2024
The date of monsoon onset over Kerala has varied widely over the last 150 years, the earliest being May 11 in 1918, and the most delayed being June 18 in 1972, according to IMD data. The rain-bearing system arrived in the southern state on June 8 last year, May 29 in 2022, June 3 in 2021 and June 1 in 2020.
Red alert in Kerala
A red alert is in place in Kerala's Pathanamthitta, Kottayam, and Idukki districts on Sunday and Monday. An orange alert has also been issued for Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Alappuzha, and Ernakulam for those two days.
Meanwhile, the news about the onset of the monsoon has brought cheer to the country reeling under the heat wave. The IMD forecasts above-normal rain in the monsoon season in India with favourable La Nina conditions.
The heatwave has been crippling the country with the temperatures touching 48 degrees Celsius in many parts, including in south India which experienced heatwave spells in April. The heat has also burdened the power grids with electricity consumption going up. The southwest monsoon is important for India's agrarian sector with 52 per cent of the net cultivated area relying on it.
