New Delhi: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Tuesday predicted a slight delay in the onset of the Southwest Monsoon over Kerala, saying it is likely to set in by June 4. The southwest monsoon normally enters Kerala on 1 June. This usually involves a delay or early of about seven days.
The meteorological office said in a statement, “There is a possibility of a slight delay in the onset of southwest monsoon over Kerala this year. Monsoon is likely to reach Kerala on June 4.
Over the last 50 years, the date of onset in Kerala has ranged from May 19 (in 1990) to June 18 (in 1972). This variance is largely attributed to the state of the El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) in the preceding winter.
Monsoon arrived in the southern state on May 29 last year, June 3 in 2021, and June 1 in 2020. The advance of the southwest monsoon into India is marked by the onset of the monsoon over Kerala and is an important signal denoting the transition from a hot and dry season to a rainy season. As the monsoon moves further north, these regions get respite from the scorching summer temperatures.
The IMD last month said India is expected to receive normal rainfall during the southwest monsoon season despite El Nino conditions. Rain-fed agriculture is an important component of India’s agricultural landscape, with 52 percent of the net cultivated area dependent on this method. It accounts for about 40 percent of the country’s total food production, making it an important contributor to India’s food security and economic stability.
