Monsoon rains have reached the Andaman Sea and parts of the Bay of Bengal, the  India Meteorological Department said Monday.

According to the department, monsoon hit parts of southeastern Bay of Bengal two days early on Sunday, and that favourable conditions are there for the advance of the monsoon into parts of the south and central Bay of Bengal during the next two days.

During the last few days, considerable increase in rainfall activity over the Bay of Bengal has also been observed.

The monsoon is likely to reach the mainland through Kerala about four days later than the normal date of June 1.

Concerns have been voiced over deficient rainfall this year because of the El Nino factor, fuelling worries that this may hurt agriculture, cause price rise and delay a recovery in the economy.