Monsoon over Kerala on June 4: Skymet

PUNE: According to Skymet, a private weather forecaster, the southwest monsoon will arrive on May 22 over Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Also, the southwest monsoon 2019 is likely to make onset over Kerala on June 4, simultaneously covering some parts of north-east India as well. This will be preceded by intense pre-monsoon rains over Kerala, said Skymet on Tuesday.

According to www.skymetweather.com, the 2019 monsoon is likely to make a timely onset. However, weather models are indicating towards a weak onset over the Indian subcontinent, resulting in a sluggish start.

According to Jatin Singh, Managing Director, Skymet, all the four regions are going to witness lesser than normal rainfall this season.

East and Northeast India and central parts will receive poorer monsoon than north-west India and the southern peninsula. The onset of monsoon will be around June 4. It seems that the initial advancement of monsoon over the Indian peninsular will be slow, said Singh. The report published by Skymet also forecasted the region-wise distribution of monsoon for June-July-August-September months for this year.

EAST AND NORTH-EAST INDIA
According to Skymet, the geographical risk remains high for Bihar, Jharkhand and West Bengal, while it is marginal for north-east India. It is likely to see below normal rain of up to 92 per cent of the Long Period Average (LPA) this season.

NORTH-WEST INDIA
According to Skymet, the active monsoon duration is the least over this region. The region is expected to record normal rainfall to the tune of 96 per cent of the LPA. Hilly states of Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand are likely to perform better than the plains of Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan and Delhi - NCR.

CENTRAL INDIA
According to Skymet, the region is expected to have the lowest rainfall as compared to other regions, with seasonal rains at 91 per cent of the LPA. Odisha and Chhattisgarh are likely to be rainiest of all, while Vidarbha, Marathwada, west Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat will be poorer than normal.

SOUTHERN PENINSULA
According to Skymet, the Indian peninsular too remains at a small risk this season with the expected rains at 95 per cent of the LPA. North-interior Karnataka and Rayalaseema may see poor rainfall. Kerala and coastal Karnataka are likely to perform better.