New Delhi, May 15: The monsoon will hit the Kerala coast on June 6, five days after its normal onset date, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said on Wednesday. "This year, the statistical model forecast suggests that the monsoon onset over Kerala is likely to be slightly delayed. The southwest monsoon onset is likely to set over Kerala on 6th June with a model error of plus or minus 4 days," the IMD said. Monsoon 2019 To Arrive In Kerala On June 4, Likely To be 'Below Normal'; Check Weather Forecast by Skymet.

The normal onset date for monsoon over Kerala is June 1, which also marks the start of the four-month rainfall season. "Conditions are becoming favourable for advance of southwest monsoon over the southern part of Andaman Sea, Nicobar Islands and adjoining southeast Bay of Bengal during May 18-19," the IMD said. On Tuesday, private weather agency Skymet said the monsoon would hit the Kerala coast on June 4, with an error margin of two days.