Monsoon advances over Kerala

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: South-West monsoon has "temporarily" advanced over Kerala bringing fairly widespread rains to many parts of the state, a top Indian Meteorological Department official said on Thursday.
"Monsoon normally sets in over Kerala on June one, but it could go a few days either way," C P Bhaskaran Nair, Meteorologist-in-charge at the IMD here, said.
"When the state gets rains for two consecutive days after May 10, we call it monsoon. This has occurred in northern parts of the state on May 17 and 18," Nair said.
Kerala would continue to receive rainfall if favourable conditions prevail, he said.
Last year, South-West monsoon set in on June eight over the state and it received 24 per cent less than the normal rainfall. In 2002, the deficiency was a huge 33 per cent.
The state had experienced a severe drought this year but copious summer showers since mid-April have brought much relief to most areas.