Southwest monsoon arrives three days ahead of schedule in Kerala

IMD said there is 42% chance of rainfall this year to be normal, while 30% probability of it being below normal

Southwest monsoon, the lifeline for millions of farmers across the country, hit the Kerala coast on Tuesday, three days ahead of its scheduled arrival date, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said.

The early arrival of monsoon augurs well for the sowing of Kharif crops, but much of that will depend on how the rains progress from here onwards.

"The conditions are favorable for further advance of Southwest Monsoon into some parts of central Arabian Sea, remaining parts of Kerala, some parts of coastal and south interior Karnataka, some more parts of East and Central and northeast Bay of Bengal, and