Monsoon first reaches Andaman near the third week of May, after which it advances towards the mainland. The official date for monsoon onset over Kerala, which marks its arrival over the mainland, is June 1.
India is expected to receive below-average monsoon rainfall with the weather office forecasting monsoon rainfall to be ‘below normal’ at 92% of the long period average (LPA).
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“Conditions are becoming favourable for onset of southwest monsoon likely over parts of south Bay of Bengal, Andaman Sea and Andaman & Nicobar Islands towards the end of this week,” it said in a statement on Tuesday.
The low-pressure area over Southwest Bay of Bengal lay over the same region May 12, with the associated cyclonic circulation extending upto 4.5 km above mean sea level, the weather office said, adding that it is likely to become more marked during the next 48 hours.
Also read | Fertilisers stock comfortable to meet requirement of Kharif sowing season: GovtThe southwest monsoon is likely to arrive over the Andaman & Nicobar Islands around May 20, the IMD had said earlier.
India receives 75-80% rainfall during the four-month long rainfall season is crucial as planting and yield of major crops such as paddy, pulses and oilseeds depend on its timely arrival and distribution of rainfall during the June-September period .