Southwest monsoon, lifeline for the country's over 200 million farmers, is expected to set over Kerala on 26th of this month, five days ahead of the normal.
The weather office said on Thursday in New Delhi, the annual monsoon rains are expected to reach Andaman seas around 20th of May, a delay of five days but forecast models indicate a rapid advance leading to an early onset in Kerala.
An analysis of different forecast models suggest a gradual buildup of monsoon flow over south-east Bay of Bengal and Andaman sea region around 18th of May which is expected to strengthen further.
Meteorological Department had on April 17 forecast 96 per cent rains of the Long Period Average this monsoon season.
In 2008, IMD had predicted monsoon onset over Kerala on 29th of May while the actual onset took place on 31st of May just a day prior to the normal onset date of June one.
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