Monsoon storms into India via Kerala, IMD warns of heavy rain ahead

Key points

• The India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Thursday, June 4, declared the onset of the southwest monsoon over Kerala, marking the official start of India's rainy season after a delay of three days from its usual arrival date of June 1. The weather agency had earlier said that the conditions had become favourable for the monsoon to advance into Kerala and adjoining regions, bringing widespread rainfall across the state.
• The monsoon's declaration comes after days of anticipation.
• In May, the IMD had initially forecast an early onset around May 26, but changing atmospheric conditions slowed the monsoon's progress.
• The weather department later revised its forecast and said the monsoon was likely to reach Kerala around June 4, which has now happened.
• A satellite image shows monsoon's arrival over Kerala, India.