Kerala has reasons to cheer as the southwest monsoon is likely to set in over the State perhaps a week ahead of the normal onset of June 1. A weather bulletin issued by the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has announced that southwest monsoon is likely to advance into South Andaman Sea and the adjoining southeast Bay of Bengal around May 15.
Normally, the monsoon covers the entire Andaman and Nicobar Islands on May 22 and reaches Kerala by June 1 with an error margin of +/-5 days.
Speaking to The Hindu, a senior IMD scientist said the Asani cyclone had dragged the moisture towards Andaman a week ahead of the normal progress of the monsoon winds. “Further, the weather models are also suggesting that another low-pressure system will form over the South China Sea by May 19, which would help in the establishment and strengthening of monsoon winds towards Kerala, if it crossed to Bay of Bengal,” he said.
