PUNE: According to the IMD, conditions are becoming favourable for the advance of the southwest monsoon over the southern part of Andaman Sea, Nicobar Islands and adjoining southeast Bay of Bengal till May 19.

Speaking to Sakal Times, AK Srivastava, Head of Climate Monitoring and Analysis Group at the India Meteorological Department (IMD), said conditions are favourable for the advance of monsoon till May 19 over the southern part of Andaman sea.

“However, it is still very early to predict the onset of monsoon over Kerala. As of now, there are a few weather systems over the Arabian Sea, which may affect the onset date, but in the coming days, their effect may not be substantial, resulting in the onset as predicted,” said Srivastava.

According to the forecast for the 2019 monsoon onset over Kerala issued by the IMD, the monsoon onset over Kerala is likely to be delayed. The southwest monsoon onset is likely to set over Kerala on June 6 with a model error of four days. 

According to IMD, at present, there are weak El Niño conditions prevailing over the equatorial Pacific Ocean. 

The latest Monsoon Mission Climate Forecasting System (MMCFS) indicates that these conditions are likely to weaken during the summer season.

According to the Met department, at present, neutral Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD) conditions are observed over the Indian Ocean. The latest MMCFS forecast indicates neutral IOD conditions are likely to turn into weak positive IOD conditions during May and June.

HOT VIDARBHA
For Vidarbha in Maharashtra, there is no respite from the heat. The IMD has forecasted a heat wave situation till May 21 in Vidarbha, whereas other parts of the State will remain dry.