Pune, May 24 ( UNI) The Indian Meteorological Department ( IMD) said the monsoon has finally entered in Kerala today. The monsoon entered Kerala eight days ahead of its usual arrival.

Earlier in 2009, monsoon arrived in Kerala on May 23. After that, the monsoon has arrived in the sate after 15 years.

The monsoon had set in over the southern state on May 30 last year; June 8 in 2023; May 29 in 2022; June 3 in 2021; June 1 in 2020; June 8 in 2019; and May 29 in 2018, IMD data showed.

Now, the monsoon rains are expected to arrive in Konkan in the next two-three days.

Heavy pre-monsoon rains are currently occurring in Konkan.

The monsoon is expected to arrive in Mumbai by June 1.

Kerala is considered the gateway to monsoon in India. After entering Kerala, the southwest monsoon moves forward across the country.

Usually, the monsoon arrives in Kerala on June 1 every year, but this year it arrived a week earlier, said Indian Meteorological Department.

The IMD said that this is the first onset of seasonal rains on Indian soil since 2009.

UNI SP PRS