Southwest monsoon to hit Kerala on June 9: IMD

The IMD prediction is based on the strengthening of cross equatorial flow and deepening of westerlies over South Arabian sea.

Chennai: The South West monsoon is "very likely" to hit Kerala on June 9 following favourable conditions, the India Meteorological Department said today.

"In view of the strengthening of cross equatorial flow and deepening of westerlies over South Arabian sea and development of feeble off-shore trough along Karnataka-Kerala coast, onset of (southwest) monsoon over Kerala is very likely by June 9," IMD said in its mid-day bulletin.

Meanwhile, rains lashed many parts of Tamil Nadu in the last 24 hours ending 0830 hours today, the regional weather office said.

Summer rains accompanied with lightning and thunder were witnessed in many parts of the state including Chennai, it said, adding, Sembarambakkam recorded the highest rainfall of five cm, followed by Chennai at four cm.

The weather office forecast rain at a few places in South Tamil Nadu and over one or two places in the northern parts of the state for the next 48 hours.

Thunderstorms were likely in Chennai during the period, it said.