Monsoon Arrives In Kerala: IMD

The southwest monsoon arrived in Kerala on Thursday (June 8) against the normal date of June 1, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said.

In a statement on Thursday, the IMD said, "The southwest monsoon has set in over Kerala today, June 8." "The monsoon has advanced into remaining parts of south Arabian Sea and some parts of central Arabian Sea, entire Lakshadweep area, most parts of Kerala, most parts of south Tamil Nadu, remaining parts of Comorin area, Gulf of Mannar and some more parts of southwest, central and northeast Bay of Bengal today," it added.

Normally, the southwest monsoon sets in over Kerala on June 1 with a standard deviation of about seven days. It may be recalled the IMD, in mid-May, said the monsoon might arrive in Kerala by June 4. However, Skymet had predicted the monsoon onset over Kerala on June 7, with an error margin of three days.

The southwest monsoon arrived in the southern state on May 29 last year, June 3 in 2021, June 1 in 2020, June 8 in 2019 and May 29 in 2018.

Earlier, Meteorologists said Cyclone 'Biparjoy' had been impacting the intensity of the monsoon and that its onset over Kerala would be "mild".

"During [the past] 24 hours, clouding has increased over Southeast Arabian sea with Outgoing Longwave Radiation (OLR) being

Going by research, a delay in the monsoon onset over Kerala (MOK) does not necessarily mean a delay in the monsoon onset over northwest India, but a delay in the MOK is generally associated with a delay in onset at least over the southern states and Mumbai.

A delayed MOK also does not impact the total rainfall over the country during the season, scientists say.

The IMD had earlier said that India is expected to get normal rainfall during the southwest monsoon season despite the evolving El Nino conditions.

The northwestern region of India is anticipated to experience rainfall that is either normal or below normal. On the other hand, the eastern and northeastern parts, as well as the central and southern peninsular areas, are expected to receive rainfall within the range of 94-106 per cent of the long-period average, which is considered normal.

Rainfall less than 90 per cent of the long-period average is considered 'deficient', between 90 per cent and 95 per cent is 'below normal', between 105 per cent and 110 per cent is 'above normal' and more than 100 per cent is 'excess' precipitation, according to a PTI report.

Normal rainfall is critical for India's agricultural landscape, with 52 per cent of the net cultivated area relying on it. It is also crucial for replenishing reservoirs critical for drinking water, apart from power generation across the country.

Rainfed agriculture accounts for about 40 per cent of the country's total food production, making it a crucial contributor to India's food security and economic stability.