The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has said the southwest monsoon is likely to set in over Kerala within the next 24 hours, marking the start of India's annual rainy season.
According to the weather agency, conditions have become favourable for the monsoon to advance further into parts of the Arabian Sea, Lakshadweep, and Kerala.
Once the monsoon arrives, Kerala is expected to receive heavy to very heavy rainfall in isolated areas over the next six to seven days. The IMD has also forecast thunderstorms, lightning, and strong winds of 40-50 kmph in some places.
The department said fairly widespread rainfall is likely across Kerala between June 2 and June 6, with some areas expected to receive very heavy rainfall through June 8.
A weather system over the southeast Arabian Sea near the Kerala coast is helping draw moisture towards the state, supporting the monsoon's advance.
The IMD has issued yellow and orange alerts across all districts of Kerala through June 6. On June 3, orange alerts were issued for Alappuzha, Kottayam, Ernakulam, and Thrissur, while the remaining districts were placed under yellow alert.
For June 4, when the monsoon is expected to arrive, orange alerts have been extended to several districts, including Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Pathanamthitta, Idukki, and parts of central Kerala.
On June 5, orange alerts are in effect for Thrissur, Palakkad, Malappuram, Kozhikode, Wayanad, Kannur, and Kasaragod. Kannur and Kasaragod will remain under orange alert on June 6, while most other districts will be under yellow alert.
Neighbouring Karnataka is also expected to receive light to moderate rainfall accompanied by thunderstorms, with isolated heavy rainfall forecast between June 2 and June 7. Lakshadweep is likely to continue receiving widespread rainfall and heavy showers through June 7.
The IMD had earlier projected the monsoon's onset over Kerala around May 26, but changing weather patterns delayed the development of conditions required for its arrival.
The southwest monsoon is crucial for India, delivering more than 70% of the country's annual rainfall between June and September.