Monsoon to hit Kerala by Thursday

NEW DELHI: The southwest monsoon that brings rain to the country is right on schedule and is expected to hit Kerala by Thursday, the ministry of earth sciences said on Monday.

The India Meteorological Department's (IMD) analysis of data indicates fairly widespread rainfall is likely over Lakshadweep, Kerala and coastal Karnataka, a ministry statement said.

Cross equatorial wind flow over south Arabian Sea would be strengthening and deepening during the next 3-4 days. Consequently, fairly widespread rainfall is likely over the Lakshadweep, Kerala and coastal Karnataka, a ministry said.

“Conditions are becoming favourable for onset of monsoon over Kerala during the next 3-4 days,” it said.

The IMD earlier forecast that monsoon will arrive in Kerala May 29, as against its normal date of June 1.

The Met Office has said that with the strengthening of westerly winds, the southwest Monsoon has further advanced into some more parts of south, central and northeast Bay of Bengal.

India has predicted near normal monsoon during the southwest monsoon season (June to September) this year.