June 1 is the date when the south-western monsoon usually land in Kerala. This year though the India Meteorological Department (IMD) had predicted that the rain-bearing winds would reach the southern state almost a weak early. But that doesn’t seem likely now.
The weather agency May 26 forecast that though the monsoon will be on schedule, it might take a pause. Most parts of the country will receive below-average rainfall during the first two weeks of the season.
Only Kerala, Odisha and Lakshadweep will get rainfall during May 27-June 2, IMD said. In Kerala too, the precipitation will be 18 per cent below normal from the climatological average of 55.8 millimetre. Odisha will receive 8.7 mm and Lakshadweep 77.4mm.
Most of India during this phase will see a rainfall deficit of -20 to -99 per cent. The first week of monsoons will be dry in most parts of India, including Kerala. Normal rainfall is expected in Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, coastal Andhra Pradesh and the seven Northeastern states. Rayalaseema, a part of Western Andhra Pradesh is expected to get above normal rainfall during this week.
The rest of India will get below normal rainfall during this week. A dry spell will sweep the country, with Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Punjab, Madhya Pradesh, Haryana, Chandigarh, Uttarakhand, Bihar, Jharkhand and Orissa expected to receive 50 per cent below-average rainfall.
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