India Meteorological Department has announced that the Southwest Monsoon has arrived in Kerala today bringing widespread rain in the state.

Southwest Monsoon has advanced into most parts of Kerala, south Tamil Nadu, remaining parts of Arabian Sea, Gulf of Mannar and some more parts of Bay of Bengal today, IMD said in a special press statement issued at 12:45 pm today.

“Thus, Southwest Monsoon has set in over Kerala today (8th June) against the normal date of 1st June,” the statement said.

“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 the past 24 hours. Considering all the above satisfied conditions, Southwest Monsoon has set in over Kerala today, the 8th June, 2023," the statement explained. 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, Bay of Bengal and some parts of northeastern states during the next  48 hours, the statement added.