Southwest monsoon hits Kerala two days behind schedule

According to the latest forecast, Kerala, Mahe and Lakshadweep are expected to receive heavy rainfall till June 5.

Dark clouds hover over Kochi on Thursday. (PTI)

The southwest monsoon hit the coast of Kerala on Thursday, two days behind its regular schedule, the India Meteorological Department said.

“The Southwest monsoon has advanced into south Kerala, south Arabian Sea, Lakshadweep and southern Tamil Nadu. The monsoon will make further advance over some more parts of Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, coastal Karnataka and Rayalaseema during the next two days,” the Met department said on Thursday.

A graphical representation of how the southwest monsoon is expected to advance. (Source: IMD)

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India receives over 70 per cent of its annual rainfall between June and September. This year, the Met department expects a normal-to-above-normal seasonal rainfall over the country. Quantitatively, the all-India rainfall has been projected at 101 per cent of the Long Period Average (LPA).

According to the latest forecast, Kerala, Mahe and Lakshadweep will receive heavy rainfall till June 5. There will be an increase in the rainfall intensity and strong westerly winds are likely along the west coast off Kerala.

“There will be strong winds with speeds ranging between 40 to 50 km/hr gusting to 60 km/hr along southwest and west-central Arabian Sea. Similar wind speeds are likely over the Gulf of Mannar and Comorin,” the weather bulletin informed.

As such, fishermen have been asked not to venture into the sea as rough conditions are expected to prevail till Saturday.

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