Monsoon late, but the heat is on

Hyderabad: The south-west monsoon may hit the south Kerala coast by June 5, four days behind schedule this year, informed India Meteorological Department.

Meanwhile, temperatures have been soaring in Seemandhra with Ongole and Rentichintala touching 45ºC on Thursday.

Last year, the monsoon had hit Kerala on June 1, two days ahead of the predicted date of June 3. “The south-west monsoon is likely to set over Kerala on June 5 with a model error of ±4 days. The normal date of the onset of monsoon over Kerala is June 1,” informed Met officials.

The south-west monsoon may advance over Andaman Sea in the next three days as low-level cross equatorial monsoon flow has started appearing over the south of Andaman Sea and adjoining south Bay of Bengal.

“During the last few days, increase in rainfall activity over the Bay of Bengal has been observed. The cross equatorial flow is likely to strengthen and deepen, which in turn would lead to further increase in the rainfall activity over the area,” the department stated.