Thiruvananthapuram, May 31 (IANS) The monsoon arrived in Kerala Monday, over a week later than last year, triggering showers across the state and marking the onset of the season for the country.
Rains also lashed many parts of southern and northeastern India, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said.
The IMD had Sunday said that monsoon was expected to hit Kerala in two days. But it announced the formal start of the season Monday amid welcome showers in the state capital.
But Kerala had been experiencing rains for about a week. The state got the first monsoon rains last year May 23.
The IMD said the southwest monsoon had further advanced into most parts of south Arabian Sea, Kerala, southern Tamil Nadu and more parts of southwest Bay of Bengal.
For the tourism industry in Kerala, the arrival of monsoon means big business.
Ayurvedic centres are overjoyed. According to ayurvedic principles, the therapy is most effective during monsoon. Any treatment taken during this time boosts the immunity.
