By IANS,
New Delhi : The southwest monsoon hit the Andaman and Nicobar Islands Monday, setting the stage for the annual monsoon rains to hit Kerala on time — May 30.
“The southwest monsoon has set in over parts of south Bay of Bengal, Andaman and Nicobar Islands and most parts of Andaman Sea today (Monday),” said an India Meteorological Department (IMD) official.
According to weather officials, the conditions are favourable for advancement of the monsoon over more parts of the Bay of Bengal and remaining parts of the Andaman Sea.
“Widespread rainfall activity over Andaman & Nicobar Islands is expected in the next 48 hours,” the met office said.
Last week, IMD had issued a forecast stating that monsoon could reach Kerala by May 30.
The southwest monsoon brings rainfall in entire parts of the country, except Tamil Nadu.
IMD has forecast normal rainfall during the June to September monsoon period.
The seasonal rainfall is likely to be 98 percent of the average this year.
Last year, the monsoon was deficient and the country received only 78 percent rainfall.