The India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Thursday, 4 June, announced the onset of the southwest monsoon over Kerala, marking the official beginning of the country’s four-month rainy season.
According to the IMD, the southwest monsoon set in over Kerala on 4 June, three days later than its normal onset date of 1 June.
The weather office said the monsoon has advanced into the remaining parts of the southwest and southeast Arabian Sea, some areas of the west-central and east-central Arabian Sea, the entire Lakshadweep region, Kerala and Mahe, parts of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, as well as sections of the Bay of Bengal.
IMD noted that atmospheric and rainfall conditions required for the onset of the monsoon had been met over Kerala.
During the past two days, convective cloud activity increased over the southeast Arabian Sea, while the depth of westerly winds extended up to 4.5 km above mean sea level.
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The strength of the lower-level westerly winds was recorded at around 20–25 knots. Widespread rainfall, including isolated heavy rainfall, was also reported across Kerala during the last two days.
Based on these conditions, the IMD declared the onset of the southwest monsoon over Kerala on 4 June.
The weather department said conditions remain favourable for further advancement of the monsoon during the next two to three days.
The system is expected to progress into the entire Goa region, parts of Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh, additional areas of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, more sections of the Bay of Bengal, and parts of the northeastern states.
The southwest monsoon is critical for India’s agriculture sector, providing the majority of the country’s annual rainfall and supporting water reservoirs, hydropower generation and rural livelihoods.
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