Monsoon Finally Arrives in Kerala

It is a week later than the normal onset date of June 1; criteria met, says IMD

- Jacob Koshy

The monsoon has arrived in Kerala, a week later than its normal onset date of June 1.

“There has been good pre-monsoon rainfall over the last 48 hours, and other criteria are met. So we are declaring onset today,” M. Mohapatra, senior forecaster at the India Meteorological Department (IMD), told The Hindu. “Good rains are expected in the next 48 hours.”

Mr. Mohapatra, however, also cautioned that a developing cyclonic storm system in the Arabian Sea could potentially hamper the monsoon’s normal progress along India’s western coast. “If this system moves north north westwards, it could help the monsoon’s ascent. But if it moves towards the Oman coast, it could temporarily obstruct the monsoon,” he added.