India Meteorological department (IMD) has predicted onset of monsoon in Kerala, the gateway of south west monsoon in the country, by June 5. This is a slight delay from the normal onset date of June 1. The IMD expects a model error of +/- 4 days. In 2019, the date of onset was June 8 while IMD’s forecast was June 6. In 2018, monsoon hit the state on May 29 exactly in tune with IMD’s prediction.
South west monsoon was devastating in the last two years when the state experienced the worst floods in its history since 1924. The state receives highest amount of rainfall during the south west monsoon, which is the period from June 1 to September 30. Thiruvananthapuram district normally receives 865.1 mm rainfall during south west monsoon period. Last year it received 20 % excess (1040.5 mm) during south west monsoon.
Photo: Bibhukalyan
