(IMD).“The conditions are likely to become favourable for Monsoon onset over Kerala during next 4-5 days,” said IMD in a media statement issued on Tuesday, May 20.

Earlier, in its onset forecast issued on April 15, IMD had predicted the monsoon to reach Kerala on May 27.

Monsoon had reached the Andamans on May 13; 9 days earlier than it’s normal time of May 22.

The monsoon’s onset over north east India is expected during the same time as it’s onset over Kerala.

“The conditions are also likely to become favourable for further advance of southwest monsoon over some more parts of South Arabian Sea, remaining parts of Maldives and Comorin area; some parts of Lakshadweep area, Kerala, Tamil Nadu; some more parts South and Central Bay of Bengal, Northeast Bay of Bengal and some parts of Northeastern states during the same period,” said IMD. The IMD has also predicted formation of an upper air cyclonic circulation over east central Arabian Sea off Karnataka coast around May 21. “Under its influence, a low pressure area is likely to form over the same region around May 22. Thereafter, it is likely to move northwards and intensify further,” said IMD.