Southwest Monsoon hits Kerala

New Delhi: The Southwest monsoon, which brings seasonal rain to the Indian subcontinent, hit Kerala and the North East Tuesday, two days before its normal onset date.

Director General of the India Meteorological Department K J Ramesh said monsoon has also hit the North East, thanks to Cyclone Mora, which aided the advancement of the seasonal rainfall.

The normal onset date for monsoon to hit the Kerala coast, which marks its official arrival in the country, is June 1.

This year, monsoon has arrived two days before its scheduled date.

While south Kerala has been receiving widespread rains since early Monday, only few places have received rains in the northern parts. However, it is likely to improve from Tuesday due to the arrival of Monsoon.

While Mavelikkara (Alappuzha) and Vaikom (Kottayam) each received six cm of rain, Kochi witnessed five cm rainfall on Monday. Enamackel and Irinjalakuda (Thrissur) besides Quilandy (Kozhikode) were among the areas which received three cm of rain.

Thiruvananthapuram city, Minicoy and Peermade (Idukki) each received one cm of rain.

Rain and thundershowers are most likely to occur at most places in Kerala in the next five days.

Strong winds from westerly direction with speed occasionally exceeding 45-55 kmph are likely off Kerala coast and over Lakshadweep.