Bringing cheers to millions, the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted the South-West Monsoon to hit Kerala in the next 48 hours. Though delayed by two days, the monsoon which is called the lifeline for farmers across India, is predicted to be normal this year.
After hitting Kerala coasts, the monsoon will slowly advance to the other parts of the country over the next 30 days.
Parts of Kerala, Karnataka and Lakshadweep, are likely to get "heavy to very heavy" rainfall along with thunderstorms. However, there is going to be “no significant” change in the temperatures in north-west India for the next five days, which is reeling under intense heat, says IMD.
The country's agricultural sector solely depends on the monsoon rains as 49% of the workforce are farmers and 68% of the population lives in rural areas. A weak monsoon last year had left many parts of the country parched with 11 states declared drought-hit.
The IMD had earlier said that monsoon should hit the Kerala coast on June 7, with an error margin of plus or minus four days.
