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The normal onset date for monsoon over Kerala is June 1. Credit: PTI File Photo
The arrival of southwest monsoon on the Kerala coast may be slightly delayed with the India Meteorological Department on Sunday announcing that the monsoon may keep its date around June 3.
Earlier, the weather bureau had declared monsoon arrival on May 31, a day ahead of the normal onset day of June 1.
“The delay is due to Cyclone Yaas, which disturbed the organisation of monsoon circulation. It will however pick up around June 6 and the onset could be around June 3,” M Rajeevan, secretary, Ministry of Earth Sciences told DH.
In April, the IMD announced a “normal monsoon” for 2021 in which India is expected to receive 98% of the average monsoon rainfall, raising hopes of better farm productivity amidst the Covid gloom.