The southwest monsoon failed to make land fall in Kerala on Sunday and is expected to set over the state only by June 5, four days behind schedule. The delay had been predicted, with a margin of error of four days, by the Met department earlier.
The rains usually hit Kerala on June 1 from where it advances northwards and covers the entire country within 40 days. It usually reaches Delhi by June-end.
The weatherman had predicted that a delay could be caused due to the absence of a low pressure system over the Arabian Sea coupled with weak cross-equatorial flow — moisture-laden winds essential for the rains.
The monsoon accounts for 70% of the country’s rainfall and is critical to the economy as 60% of the farmland is rain-fed. Good rains may cool down inflation in the country but forecasts have warned of a weak monsoon this time raising serious concerns about economic growth.