Visakhapatnam: The much-awaited southwest monsoon has set in over the Kerala coast on Thursday, after its delay by a week compared to the normal onset date of June 1.
It will take another four days for the monsoon to reach the Rayalaseema area of Andhra Pradesh, if the conditions are favourable, IMD Amaravati said in its daily bulletin.
It said southwest monsoon has advanced into remaining parts of south Arabian Sea and some parts of central Arabian Sea, entire Lakshadweep area, most of Kerala, most of south Tamil Nadu, the remaining parts of Comorin area, the Gulf of Mannar and some parts of the southwest, central and northeast Bay of Bengal on Thursday.
“During the past 24 hours, clouding has increased over the southeast Arabian Sea and the depth of the westerly winds over southeast Arabian Sea extends up to the 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,” the report said.
Meanwhile, the very severe cyclonic storm Biparjoy (pronounced as Biporjoy) over east central Arabian Sea moved nearly northwards with a speed of 5kmph during the past 6 hours and lay centered 850km west-southwest of Goa, 900km southwest of Mumbai, 930km south-southwest of Porbandar and 1220km south of Karachi. It would intensify further during the next 24 hours and move nearly north-northwestwards in the next three days, the report said.
IMD also forecast thunderstorms for north and south coastal Andhra Pradesh, Yanam and Rayalseema for the next five days.
“Gusty winds with a wind speed of 40 kmph are also likely in these areas during this period. Some places in Rayalaseema might experience heat conditions till June 12,” the report added.
The report also said Bapatla recorded the highest temperature of 43.8 which was 5.4 degrees above normal maximum temperature, Visakhapatnam 38. 6 which was above 5.5 degrees, and Jangamaheswarapuram 43.4 which was 3.8 degrees above the normal temperature.
