NE monsoon sets over parts of South India, to expand in next

The north east monsoon sets in over parts of South India Thursday and would expand in the next 24 hours, the regional weather office said.

This time, there could be excess rainfall during north east monsoon, Director of Area Cyclone Warning Centre, S Balachandran told reporters here.

"North east monsoon rains have commenced over coastal Tamil Nadu and Puducherry, south Tamil Nadu, southern Kerala and southern coastal areas of Andhra Pradesh," he said.

The monsoon will cover the remaining parts of Tamil Nadu and Kerala, Rayalaseema and southern Karnataka tomorrow, he added.

Tamil Nadu is dependent on the crucial north east monsoon as it brings the bulk of the annual rainfall in the state.

According to Indian Meteorological Department (IMD), the long period average rainfall for Tamil Nadu during the north east monsoon stretching between October and December was 44 cm and this time there could be an excess rainfall.

The forecast was for an "above normal" monsoon, it said adding "there are still two months left."