Thiruvananthapuram, June 6 (IANS): The much awaited monsoon arrived in Kerala Friday, the Met office said.
An official release said rainfall exceeding seven cm will occur at a few places in Kerala and Lakshadweep till the morning of June 9.
Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) officials also issued a warning to fishermen, stating that strong winds with speed up to 45 to 55 kmph are likely along the Kerala coast and Lakshadweep Saturday.
The monsoon arrived a day later than expected.
Once the southwest monsoon sets in over Kerala, it advances northwards and covers the entire country by July 15.
The IMD stated they declared the monsoon's arrival in Kerala based on data recorded at the 14 weather stations in Lakshadweep, Kerala and Mangalore.
They begin to monitor the rainfall from May 10 and if 60 percent of the stations or more record 2.5 mm of rain for two continuous days, then it satisfies the criterion that monsoon has arrived.
Another yardstick is the strength of the wind. Cloud movements are also a key indicator for the weathermen.