Monsoon sets in Goa two days ahead of schedule

Panaji, June 4: The monsoon has arrived in Goa today, two days prior to the scheduled date, Indian Meteorological department (IMD) said.

The monsoon has already set in Goa from today, which is two days in advance to the expected arrival, IMD Goa Director K V Singh said.

"The south west monsoon had reached Kerala on June 1 and it took three days for it to hit Goa," he said. Singh said that the rains would be normal in the state.

IMD has warned the fishermen against venturing in the sea. The state government had also announced ban on fishing in the state from June 1 onwards, which will continue for 61 days.

State agriculture director Satish Tendulkar said the farmers have already geared up for the plantings. "We have made available seeds for the paddy field cultivation through various cooperative societies," he said.

The department has also kept on sale grafts of mango and cashew trees. "The demand for grafts will go up as the rain catches up," Tendulkar said.

PTI