Monsoon arrives in Kerala after longest delay in 4 years, rain batters several states

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Thursday declared the onset of monsoon over Kerala.On Wednesday, Kerala recorded widespread rainfall activity across different stations.Meteorologists earlier said Cyclone 'Biparjoy' had been impacting the intensity of the monsoon and that its onset over Kerala would be "mild".In a statement today, the IMD said, "The southwest monsoon has set in over Kerala today, June 8."

The monsoon has advanced into remaining parts of south Arabian Sea and some parts of central Arabian Sea, entire Lakshadweep area, most parts of Kerala, most parts of south Tamil Nadu, remaining parts of Comorin area, Gulf of Mannar and some more parts of southwest, central and northeast Bay of Bengal today," it added.The southwest monsoon normally sets in over Kerala on June 1 with a standard deviation of about seven days. In mid-May, the IMD said the monsoon might arrive in Kerala by June 4.