New Delhi, May 14: Monsoon is expected to arrive in Kerala on June 4. However, this year, the monsoon is likely to be below normal. According to private weather forecaster Skymet, the country will receive 93 percent rainfall 2019. Generally, monsoon arrives in Kerala at the beginning of June and spreads across the country till mid-July. The average or normal rainfall in the country is defined between 96 and 104 percent of a 50-year average for the entire four-month monsoon season. Monsoon 2019 Forecast: IMD Predicts 'Near Normal' South West Monsoon.

Meanwhile, in April, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) had predicted "near normal" South West monsoon, this year. Monsoon waters about 70 percent of the country’s farmland. India faced drought in 2014 and 2015 because of the weak El Nino effect. In 2017, rainfall was near-normal, but in 2018, it dropped to 91% of the long period average. Monsoon 2018: 1,400 People Lost Lives Across India Due To Floods And Rain Related Incidents.

Meanwhile, there will be a gradual rise in maximum temperatures up to 3 degree Celsius over West India from today. The IMD also predicted heatwave conditions at isolated places in Vidarbha, Telangana and Tamilnadu and Puducherry over the next two-three days.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on May 14, 2019 06:09 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).