India's weather office announced on Thursday that the Southwest Monsoon has set in over Kerala and advanced into most parts of Northeast India.
The monsoon arrived on Kerala's coast a day earlier than predicted by the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD). Earlier this month, the IMD had forecasted the monsoon's onset over Kerala by May 31. Weather scientists suggested that Cyclone Remal, which hit West Bengal and Bangladesh on Sunday, might have drawn the monsoon flow towards the Bay of Bengal, contributing to its early onset in the northeast.
Kerala has experienced heavy rainfall in recent days, resulting in above-normal rainfall for May, according to weather office data.
The normal onset date for the monsoon in Arunachal Pradesh, Tripura, Nagaland, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Manipur, and Assam is June 5.
"The conditions are also becoming favorable for further advancement of Southwest Monsoon into some more parts of South Arabian Sea, remaining parts of Maldives, Comorin, Lakshadweep, southwest and central Bay of Bengal, northeast Bay of Bengal and some parts of Northeastern states during the same period," the IMD previously stated.
The monsoon is crucial for India's agriculture, as 52 percent of the net cultivated area depends on it. Additionally, it plays a key role in replenishing reservoirs for drinking water and power generation nationwide.
June and July are critical months for agriculture as most Kharif crop sowing occurs during this period.
IMD Predicts Monsoon to Hit in Kerala Within 24 Hours
Rainfall brought relief to Delhi NCR after recording a scorching 52.3°C Today
Major Disruption: 930 Suburban Trains Cancel from May 31 to June 2, Here's Why