Monsoon to hit Andaman sea in next 24 hours: IMD

PUNE: The much awaited summer monsoon of India is most likely to enter the south Andaman sea tomorrow, says the weather department. The possibility of monsoon's arrival in the south Andaman sea by Saturday has improved further on Friday. It is expected to touch the southern tip of the mainland on June 5, slightly late than the normal onset date of June 1 over Kerala.

"Conditions continue to remain favourable for the advance of southwest Monsoon over South Andaman Sea and adjoining southeast Bay of Bengal during next 24 hours," said India Meteorology Department weather inference. After covering the Andaman and Nicobar islands, monsoon will hit the Kerala coast around June 5, to herald its four month journey over the mainland. With concerns about the developing El Nino and a forecast of below normal rainfall by the IMD, there is curiosity about the arrival and progress of monsoon, which will decide the sowing of various rain-fed crops in India.

Meanwhile, states from North India like Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan will have to cope with rise in the maximum temperatures by 2 - 3 degree Celsius in next three days. Many parts in east India will get some respite from the prevailing heat wave conditions as there will be decline in the maximum temperatures by 2 - 3 degree Celsius in next three days.