The southwest monsoon advanced into some parts of south Arabian sea, the Maldives, the Kanyakumari area, and some parts of the southwest bay of Bengal on Tuesday, setting the stage for its arrival over Kerala, probably by Thursday.
While the strengthening of cross equatorial flow and deepening of westerly winds over the south Arabian sea have created conducive conditions for the further advancement of the monsoon, the India Meteorology Department is tracking the development of a feeble off-shore trough along the Kerala-Karnataka coast, which could nudge the monsoon into the mainland. A forecast bulletin issued by the IMD on Tuesday evening said the onset of the monsoon over Kerala was very likely by June 9.
After setting in over the Andaman sea on May 20, its normal onset date, the monsoon had been bogged down in the region, delaying its advancement over the mainland.
The IMD has forecast above normal rainfall during the southwest monsoon period this year.
Meanwhile, the Met Centre here has forecast heavy (7 to 11 cm) to very heavy (12-20 cm) rainfall at one or two places in Kerala till Friday morning. Strong winds, speed occasionally reaching 45 to 55 kmph, are also likely along and off the coast of Kerala and Lakshadweep during the 24 hours from Tuesday afternoon. Fishermen have been advised to be cautious while venturing out to the sea.
Director, Met Centre K. Santhosh said widespread rains had been reported across the districts. Rain occurred at most places in the State on Tuesday, with Koyilandy in Kozhikode and Peringamala in Thiruananthapuram recording the highest of 7 cm each.
