Thiruvananthapuram: The southwest monsoon set in over Kerala on Friday after a delay of almost six days from the normal date of arrival.
There was fairly widespread rainfall in many parts of the state during the last 48 hours. Of the 14 rainfall monitoring stations for recording monsoon onset, more than 70 per cent of stations reported rainfall higher than 2.5 mm for the last two days.
While Vythiri and Pookot in Wayanad district recorded the highest rainfall of 6 cm, Vaikom had 4 cm, Alappuzha, Ernakulam south, Kudlu, Peerumede and Kollam 3 cm each, and Kochi airport, Thalasserry, Kottarakkara, Vadakara, Kodungallur, Aluva, Chengannur, Cherthala, Haripad, Kayamkulam, Mankombu and Mavellikkara 2 cm rainfall each.
According to the forecast for the next three days, the state will receive rain and thunder showers in most places on Saturday and Sunday. Met officials said that rainfall exceeding 7 cm would occur at a few places till the morning of June 9.
Meanwhile, Met department said that monsoon had further advanced into most parts of south Arabain sea and Kerala and parts of Tamil Nadu. Conditions are favourable for further advance of monsoon into the remaining parts of Kerala, some parts of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu during the next two to three days.
Fishermen have been warned of strong winds from the westerly direction with speed occasionally reaching 45 to 55 km along Kerala coast.
The season's rainfall between June 1 and 5 had been poor. Barring Wayanad which received normal rain, four districts had scanty rainfall while nine districts recorded deficient rain.
However, Met officials said that most districts were likely to get fairly widespread rain as monsoon progressed further.
