With the severe cyclonic storm Mekunu over the Arabian Sea moving away towards Oman and Yemen, it has cleared the way for the onset of the southwest monsoon in Kerala around May 29, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD).
Men walk on a road flooded after heavy rain and strong winds caused damage in Hadibu as Cyclone Mekunu pounded the Yemeni island of Socotra, on Thursday, May 24, 2018. At least 17 people were reported missing.
The prediction model error is +/-4 days, but the pre-monsoon activity has been satisfactory, say weather officials. On May 25, large parts of Kerala received heavy rain, with the weather office issuing rainfall warning for the next four days. Last month, the IMD had said the country is likely to see normal monsoon rain, 97% of the 89 cm it normally gets between June and September. Last year, it got 95%. The IMD has ruled out chances of “deficient rainfall”. According to the IMD, monsoon rains are likely to be unaffected by the El Nino weather pattern, associated with a weak monsoon, which is likely to set in only after the rainy season ends in September.
