Later this week, Kerala may get early monsoon:  IMD forecast

• The IMD predicts favorable conditions for monsoon onset over Kerala in the next four to five days.

• The monsoon is expected to reach Kerala on May 27, marking its four-month stay in mainland India.

• If the monsoon does arrive, it would be the earliest since 2009, a year marked by a 23% rainfall shortfall.

• The IMD predicts this year’s monsoon rainfall to be “above normal”, at 104% of the historical average.

• Heavy to very heavy rainfall is expected over the west coast, Karnataka, Goa, and Kerala between May 20 and 26.