Thiruvananthapuram: The southwest monsoon is likely to hit Kerala on June 1, thanks to a cyclonic circulation over the Bay of Bengal, the India Meteorological Department said on Thursday.
The IMD, in its onset date forecast on May 15, had said the monsoon is likely to hit the southern state on June 5, four days after its normal arrival.
The normal onset of monsoon over Kerala is June 1.
However, a cyclonic circulation over the Bay of Bengal is likely to help in the faster progress of the monsoon.
"A low pressure area is likely to form over southeast and adjoining east central Arabian Sea during May 31 to June 4. In view of this, conditions are very likely to become favourable from June 1 for onset of southwest monsoon over Kerala," the IMD said.
A low pressure area is the first stage of any cyclone. It is not necessary that every low pressure intensifies into a cyclonic circulation.
According to the IMD, the country is likely to receive normal monsoon this year.
A low pressure area has also formed over west-central Arabian Sea. It is very likely to concentrate into a depression over the same region during next 48 hours.
It is very likely to move northwestwards towards south Oman and east Yemen coast during next three days, the IMD added.
Under the influence of this weather system, heavy rainfall is likely over parts of south peninsular India during May 28-31, with isolated heavy to very heavy rainfall over Kerala and Lakshadweep during May 30-31.
Fishermen warned
The Kerala government has warned fishermen not to put out to sea from midnight tonight and prohibited fishing activities in view of the possible formation of a low pressure area over South East and adjoining Arabian Sea.
"Fishing activities have been completely prohibited since midnight tonight on the Kerala coast and South East parts of the Arabian sea. Those who have already left for the deep sea, should return to the coast as early as possible," Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said.
The chief minister also said that the state has to gear up for the monsoon challenge while it fights COVID-19.
Many parts of Kerala have been receiving rains since the past few days.
"We can expect rains more than the normal this year too. In the next five days the rains are likely to continue as per the IMD forecast," Pinarayi said.
The monsoon last year caused landslides across north Kerala resulting in loss of over 100 lives.
The state had also witnessed the worst floods of the century in the 2018 monsoon when at least 483 people had lost their lives.
(With inputs from PTI)
