Monsoon likely to hit Kerala in 2-3 days: IMD

New Delhi: The southwest monsoon could make an onset over Kerala in the next two to three days, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), which had earlier predicted May 26 as the possible date for arrival of the monsoon over the region.

Monsoon first reaches Andaman near the third week of May every year, subsequently making its journey towards the mainland. This year, the official date for monsoon onset over Kerala, which marks its arrival over the mainland, is June 1.

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"Conditions are favourable for further advance of southwest monsoon into some more parts of southwest & southeast Arabian Sea, Lakshadweep Islands, some parts of Kerala & Tamil Nadu, some more parts of southwest, westcentral, eastcentral & northeast Bay of Bengal, and remaining parts of southeast Bay of Bengal during next 2-3 days," IMD said in a statement on Monday.

India is expected to get below-average monsoon this year with the official weather office forecasting rainfall to be 'below normal' at 90% of the long period average (LPA). The progress of the monsoon is being closely monitored this year due to fears of the El Nino weather pattern, associated with scarce and highly uneven rainfall.

India gets 75-80% of annual rainfall during the four-month long monsoon season, crucial for the planting of major crops such as paddy, pulses, and oilseeds.

The kharif season, which starts in June, accounts for more than half of India's foodgrain production and its outcome is crucial for food inflation.