The arrival of the monsoon over the Indian subcontinent has been delayed by two days. It is now expected to hit the Kerala coast on 3 June, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said on Sunday.
With the possibility of the southwesterly winds to strengthen further gradually from Tuesday, there is a likeness of enhancement in rainfall activity over Kerala from 3 June, IMD added.
In a tweet on Sunday, the weather department said, “The northern limit of Southwest Monsoon continues to pass through 5°N/72°E, 6°N/75°E, 8°N/80°E, 12°N/85°E, 14°N/90°E and 17°N/94°E. Due to strengthening of lower level southwesterly winds, fairly widespread to widespread rainfall activity with isolated heavy falls very likely over Northeastern states during next 5 days.”
It further informed about cyclonic circulation over the East-central Arabian Sea off Karnataka coast at 3.1 km above mean sea level, which is likely to meander over the region during the next 5 days. Southwesterly winds are also likely to strengthen during the next 2-3 days.
“Under the influence of these and other favourable meteorological conditions; scattered to fairly widespread rain/thunderstorm likely over Karnataka and Kerala and Mahe and isolated to scattered rain/thunderstorm over remaining parts of south Peninsular India during next 4-5 days,” the IMD tweeted.
The Western Himalayan region and the adjoining plains of north-western India are also likely to experience isolated to scattered rainfall/thunderstorm activity during the next 5 days.
No significant change in the maximum temperatures for the next 5 days was also predicted. “Lower level moisture incursion from the north Arabian Sea to the plains of Northwest India taking place and is very likely to continue during next 3-4 days. Under its influence; no significant change in maximum temperatures very likely during the next 5 days. Also, isolated to scattered rainfall/thunderstorm activity likely over Western Himalayan Region and adjoining plains of northwest India during next 4-5 days.”