Southwest monsoon sets in over Kerala; Odisha to witness late arrival 

The Southwest Monsoon arrived in Kerala on Thursday, informed the India Meteorological Department (IMD). The southwest Monsoon set in over Kerala one week late. It normally touches Kerala on June 1. 

"The Southwest Monsoon has advanced into remaining parts of south Arabian Sea and some parts of central Arabian Sea, entire Lakshadweep area, most parts of Kerala, most parts of south Tamil Nadu, remaining parts of Comorin area, Gulf of Mannar and some more parts of southwest, central and northeast Bay of Bengal today," the IMD said in a release. 

“During past 24 hours, clouding has increased over Southeast Arabian sea with Outgoing Longwave Radiation(OLR) being <200 watts/meter2. The depth of westerly winds over Southeast Arabian sea extends up to middle tropospheric levels. The strength of Westerly winds in the lower levels has increased and is about 19 knots. There has been widespread rainfall over Kerala during past 24 hours,” read the note. 

“Conditions are favourable for further advance of Southwest monsoon into some more parts of central Arabian Sea, remaining parts of Kerala, some more parts of Tamil Nadu, some parts of Karnataka and some more parts of southwest, Central and northeast Bay of Bengal and some parts of northeastern states during next 48 hours,” it further added. 

Considering the late arrival of the Monsoon in Kerala, weather scientists have forecast that Odisha will also witness the late arrival of the Monsoon. The Southwest Monsoon normally sets in over Odisha on June 12. However, it is yet to be ascertained pin-pointedly when it would touch Odisha.