Southwest Monsoon arrives on Kerala coast

The IMD declares the arrival of monsoon rains only after parameters are satisfied

Rains usually lash Kerala state, on India's southwest coast, from around June 1 and cover the whole country by mid-July. Credit: PTI File Photo

India's annual monsoon arrived on the Kerala coast on Thursday, the state-run weather office said, marking the start of the four-month rainy season crucial for the farm-dependent economy.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) declares the arrival of monsoon rains only after parameters measuring consistency of rainfall over a defined geography, intensity, cloudiness and wind speed are satisfied.

Also Read | Conditions ripe for monsoon onset over Kerala on June 3: IMD

Rains usually lash Kerala state, on India's southwest coast, from around June 1 and cover the whole country by mid-July. Timely rains trigger the planting of crops such as rice, soybeans and cotton.

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