IMD Declares Onset Of Southwest Monsoon Over Kerala

The southwest monsoon has hit Kerala, marking the commencement of the four-month long rainfall season, the India Meteorological Department said on Monday.

"The southwest monsoon has made an onset over Kerala," said IMD Director General Mrutyunjay Mohapatra. The rainy season from June to September accounts for 75% of rainfall in the country.

Private weather forecaster Skymet Weather Services Pvt. Ltd. on May 30 had declared arrival of monsoon, but the IMD had differed, saying conditions were not ripe then for such an announcement.