Monsoon reaches Kerala 3 days before schedule

New Delhi : The Southwest monsoon reached Kerala three days before the schedule, it was expected to arrive on June 1, according to Indian Meteorological Department (IMD).

According to a release by the IMD, it has advanced into the south Arabian Sea, Lakshadweep area, most parts of Kerala, some parts of south Tamil Nadu and some parts of Gulf of Mannar among others.

Earlier, IMD had forecasted that the monsoon will arrive in Kerala on May 27. They had also marked a margin of error by four days.

India is an agriculture-based nation and most of the crops rely on the monsoon for watering of crops. Timely and normal rains are set to boost the production outlook for monsoon-sown crops such as rice, soybeans and pulses and help in softening soaring inflation.

The India Meteorological Department defines average, or normal, rainfall as ranging between 96% and 104% of a 50-year average of 87 cm (35 inches) for the season beginning in June.