New Delhi/Thiruvananthapuram: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Thursday officially declared the onset of the Southwest Monsoon over Kerala, marking the beginning of India’s crucial four-month rainy season and bringing relief from the intense summer heat experienced across several parts of the country.
The monsoon arrived on June 4, three days later than its normal onset date of June 1. According to the IMD, the Southwest Monsoon has covered the entire state of Kerala, the Lakshadweep Islands and Mahe, while also advancing across the remaining parts of the Southwest and Southeast Arabian Sea.
Meteorologists said conditions remain favourable for the monsoon to progress further over the next two to three days. The weather system is expected to advance into Goa, parts of Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh, additional regions of Karnataka, the remaining areas of Tamil Nadu, and several parts of the Bay of Bengal and northeastern states.
The IMD has projected that India is likely to receive rainfall amounting to around 90 per cent of the Long Period Average (LPA) during the monsoon season.
The weather department noted a significant increase in convective cloud activity over the Southeast Arabian Sea during the past two days. Strong westerly winds extending up to 4.5 kilometres above mean sea level, with speeds of 20-25 knots at lower levels, have aided the monsoon’s progress.
Kerala has already witnessed widespread rainfall over the past 48 hours, including isolated spells of heavy rain. The IMD has forecast isolated heavy to very heavy rainfall ranging between 7 cm and 20 cm across parts of Kerala over the next six to seven days. Heavy rainfall is also likely in isolated areas of Tamil Nadu and Karnataka during the same period.
Meanwhile, Delhi recorded a minimum temperature of 29.7 degrees Celsius on Thursday. The national capital remains under a yellow alert, with the IMD predicting rain and thunderstorms that could provide temporary relief from the prevailing heat.
The arrival of the Southwest Monsoon is closely watched as it plays a critical role in India’s agriculture sector, water resources, and overall economic activity.
