The South-West Monsoon is likely to hit the Andamans in the next 48 hours, while it will take another 10-12 days to reach the Kerala coast, Met officials said here today.According to the department, the monsoon has advanced over South Andaman Sea and over southern parts of Bay of Bengal. It also predicted that conditions are favourable for a further advance of the monsoon over North Andaman Sea in the next 48 hours, as a trough of low pressure persists over the south Andaman Sea and south-east Bay of Bengal.Director of the long-range forecast division at IMD’s National Climate Centre D.S. Pai said, ‘‘The monsoons have reached South Andaman Sea. Normally, it comes to the Andamans on May 20. So, it is already late by around six days.’’Pai added that it would take another 10-12 days for the system to reach Kerala. This was in keeping with the IMD’s earlier prediction that the monsoons would hit the mainland seven days late.Be prepared: PMNEW DELHI: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has written to all CMs, asking them to be prepared for any eventuality — drought or flood. The PM has stressed on the ‘‘need to take adequate precautionary measures so that we are not found wanting’’. —ENS
