Monsoon has reached Kerala; heavy rains in state, arrives three days before forecast

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Meteorological Department confirmed the arrival of monsoon in the state. On Sunday, the monsoon reached the eastern part of the Arabian Sea, Lakshadweep and most parts of Kerala, the southern region of Tamil Nadu, Gulf of Mannar and the south-western part of the Bay of Bengal. The monsoon arrived three days earlier than previously mentioned. Earlier indications were that it would arrive on June 1.

In the next three to four days, monsoon rains will arrive in the Central Arabian Sea, across Kerala and in some parts of Tamil Nadu and Karnataka. However, in the first few weeks it will not be heavy. The state will get heavy rains only by mid-June. Isolated heavy rains were predicted from May 28 to June 1. The first forecast was for the onset of the monsoon on May 27 due to the active presence of westerly winds and the presence of rain clouds. However, that did not happen. In the last two days, all districts in Kerala received rainfall of 2.5 mm and this was registered in the rain gauge.