Thiruvananthapuram: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Monday forecast that the southwest monsoon is likely to arrive in Kerala around May 26, with a possible variation of four days on either side.
The IMD also predicted heavy rainfall accompanied by lightning and strong winds across parts of Kerala and Mahe over the next five days. The weather conditions are linked to a cyclonic circulation over south coastal Andhra Pradesh and adjoining regions, which is expected to trigger the formation of a low-pressure area over Kerala, south interior Karnataka, Rayalaseema, and the adjoining southeast Arabian Sea near south Lakshadweep.
According to the IMD, the southwest monsoon has already advanced into most parts of the southeast Arabian Sea and sections of the Kanyakumari region. It has also progressed into most parts of the southwest and southeast Bay of Bengal, the Andaman Sea, the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, and parts of the east-central Bay of Bengal.
As rains continued across several parts of Kerala, the IMD issued an orange alert for Kannur and Kasaragod districts for Monday, warning of very heavy rainfall ranging between 11 cm and 20 cm. A yellow alert, indicating heavy rainfall between 6 cm and 11 cm, was issued for 10 districts, excluding Thrissur and Palakkad.
For Tuesday, the weather department issued a yellow alert for nine districts in the state.
With PTI inputs